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DRC
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC) PROGRAMME PLAN 2018
1. Introduction
According to the 2016 Human Development Index, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is
among the poorest countries in the world, ranked 176 out of 188 countries with more than 4 out of 5
persons living below the $1.25 poverty line. DRC’s second Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP2)
2011 – 20151 outlines four pillars in its strategy to reduce poverty; strengthening governance and peace,
diversifying the economy, accelerating growth and promoting employment, improving access to basic
social services and strengthening human capital, and protecting the environment and fighting against
climate change. However, the country is currently experiencing widespread political and economic
instability, hindering progress towards these goals. An estimated 4.1 million children in DRC are
malnourished, with 42.6% of children under 5 years stunted2. Access to water and health facilities
remains limited, with more than two third of the rural population not having access to improved water
sources and a larger proportion lacking access to improved latrine facilities. Poverty in DRC has a very
clear gender dimension to it; discrimination against women and girls is widespread. On the Gender
Inequality Index (2016), which focuses on reproductive health, empowerment and economic status,
DRC scores 149th out of 155 countries.
The humanitarian situation in the DRC continues to deteriorate largely due to repeated clashes among
armed groups and ethnic tensions leading to widespread displacement, largely concentrated in the
Eastern Provinces and in the central Kasai region. The situation in the Kasai provinces and Tanganyika
has deteriorated into a regional humanitarian crisis with violence causing widespread loss of life and
enormous humanitarian needs. The Humanitarian Needs Overview (2017) estimates that 6.9 million
people in DRC are in need of humanitarian assistance. The Integrated Phased Food Classification
(August 2017) estimated 1.5 million people are facing “emergency“ hunger levels, with 7.7 million
people in need of food assistance across the country. The political outlook for DRC remains uncertain,
with presidential elections postponed again until 2018. Political uncertainty and unemployment are
fuelling popular resentment with rising tensions demonstrated by increased numbers of mass protests
predominantly in urban centres across DRC.
Country Strategic Plan
Country Strategic Plan Timeline: 2017-2021
The Concern DRC Country Strategic Plan (CSP) overall objective is to “address the underlying causes of
extreme poverty in the constantly changing context of DRC through quality development work and a rapid
emergency response”.
2. Programmes
Integrated (Livelihoods and Health) Programme
In Manono Territory, Tanganyika province, Concern is implementing a five-year Graduation
Programme (2017-2021) targeting 1,000 households who are the poorest and most marginalized
households to “graduate from” extreme poverty. These households are supported to be more
productive and resilient to shocks and stresses, and to improve their human and social capital to
sustain their graduation from poverty. Graduation beneficiaries are supported to strengthen/develop
new income-generating activities (IGA) through technical training, coupled with business/financial
management skills and life skills (e.g. nutrition sensitisation, conflict resolution). At the same time,
1 http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2013/cr13226.pdf Note: the GPRSP post-2015 has not yet been published. 2 Human Development Report 2016
DRC
beneficiaries receive income support to meet their immediate needs and to put towards productive
assets while they participate in the training. Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) will also
be established to enable households to start saving and accessing credit to invest in productive assets,
or to meet immediate needs in the event of a shock.
The programme also works with 38,886 beneficiaries (19,832 female; 19,054 male) to reduce
vulnerability to water borne diseases and health related shocks by improving access to safe water and
sanitation facilities and promoting behaviour change for positive hygiene practices. Supporting the
local health authorities in the implementation of the Water Law and strengthening their capacity in
water service provision.
Adopting the Engaging Men and Boys approach, Concern will work to galvanise support from
community leaders to address issues of gender inequalities that continue to discriminate against
women and girls. The graduation programme will be implemented in partnership with a national
NGO, WISDOM for literacy and numeracy, and with the Ministry of Health (Bureau de Zone de Sante
[BCZ]) for water, sanitation, and hygiene activities. Under this programme, Concern will support
21,240 beneficiaries in 2018.
Health
Concern is the lead agency of a nationwide WASH Consortium, comprising five agencies (ACF,
ACTED, CRS, Solidarites, and Concern), that is working across five provinces in DRC from 2013 – 2018.
The DRC WASH Consortium strives to reduce mortality and morbidity associated with lack of access
to potable water and poor sanitation and hygiene practices. In 2018, Concern will support 29,972
people across 21 villages with improved access to safe water and sanitation facilities through this
programme.
Under this programme, Concern continues to promote a community-based water management and
“life-cycle costs” approach to enhance sustainable access to drinking water. A key element of this
sustainability strategy is to establish Water Management Committees (WMC), comprising men and
women from the target communities who will oversee the management of the water points, while also
working with the suppliers of spare parts for the water points. In addition to improving water
infrastructure, Concern supports targeted communities through community led hygiene promotion
methodologies to promote positive hygiene behaviour change. The WASH Consortium also work to
share learning from the programme with the WASH sector at the national level through the
organisation of biannual events and participation in various national and international fora and
conferences. The Consortium, through its Coordination Unit (CCU) in Kinshasa, will continue to
engage in advocacy regarding the national WASH strategy with stakeholders including the
Government and the National WASH Programme (Village et Ecole Assaini).
Emergency
In 2018, Concern expects to support at least 73,155 conflict-affected people in North Kivu, Tanganyika
and Haut Lomami provinces. A new base was opened in late 2017 in Mwene Ditu, Kasai Central and
plans are in place to scale up an emergency/recovery response there as funding materalises.
In Tanganyika and Haut Lomami, Concern will meet the immediate needs of displaced and conflict
affected housheolds through the provision of emergency shelter and safe water and sanitation facilities.
Under this programme, safe drinking water will be provided through the rehabilitation and protection
of existing water points and/or establishment of Water Treatment Units, as appropriate. Concern, using
its existing water testing laboratory, will conduct frequent water quality testing at point of source to
ensure adherence to water quality standards. Water management committees will be established and
DRC
members trained in the management and maintenance of their rehabilitated water points to ensure
sustainability. In addition, Concern will provide basic emergency shelter materials to displaced
populations to ensure they have access to safe, habitable, and appropriate living spaces.
Concern will support conflict-affected households (displaced, returnee and vulnerable host
households) from both official camps and communities in North Kivu through a mobile and rapid
emergency response. Concern will continue to deliver a multi-sectoral package of assistance combining
cash transfers, cash for work and Non-Food Item (NFIs) to assist vulnerable households.
3. Monitoring and Evaluation:
Programme/
project
Timeframe Donors Timeline of M&E events
Context
analysis
Baseline or in
endline study
Mid term
review
Final
evaluation
Graduation
Programme
2017-2021 Irish
Aid
n/a n/a July 2018 n/a
Health-
WASH
Consortium
Katanga
2013 -2018 DFID n/a n/a n/a July-
December
2018
Emergency –
Tanganyika
and Haut
Lomami
2017 –2018 OFDA n/a n/a n/a July 2018
Emergency
Nord Kivu
2018 Irish
Aid &
Project
Sponsor
hip
n/a n/a n/a June-July
2018