89.5 million people
live in the Central African state – more than in Germany
Healthcare
to promote mental and psychosocial stability are the main focus
5000
people benefit directly or indirectly
Most of the population in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is suffering from violence, political instability and an ongoing humanitarian crisis. The many social and political conflicts and crises often cause psychotic symptoms or make existing symptoms worse. Humanity & Inclusion has therefore made it its mission to support people with psychological trauma – such as survivors of violent conflicts or natural disasters.
The aid organisation Humanity & Inclusion is active in around 60 countries and promotes worldwide solidarity and inclusion. It improves the living conditions for people with disabilities over the long term and cares for the most vulnerable. Humanity & Inclusion supports several Congolese associations working for the rights of people with disabilities. In addition, the field workers also meet with staff from other humanitarian organisations to raise awareness of this issue.
„It is important to us that social cohesion and the capacity to respond to emergency situations are sustainably improved – the commitment and expertise of Humanity & Inclusion makes this possible!“
- Martin J. Hörmann, personally liable partner of the Hörmann Group
Local help for vulnerable people
Mental health is one of the most urgent health topics in the Central African country as people with mental disorders are often marginalised in Congolese society. There is also only limited availability of facilities for mental health. This makes local networks, contact to people with similar experiences and personal, empathetic support all the more important.
And this is exactly where Humanity & Inclusion comes in: The organisation works in close cooperation with local professionals and volunteers and organises support in the form of psychosocial care, communal self-help groups and therapeutic mediation. These measures aim to strengthen the mental health of vulnerable people as well as social cohesion within the Nyiragongo region. Another goal is to sustainably improve the capacity to respond to emergency situations in the province of North Kivu.
Crises affect the majority of the population
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been destabilised by an alarming humanitarian crisis for many years. As a result, the country only ranks 176 out of 188 on the Human Development Index. In many cases, this has a negative impact on health: more than 13 million people need emergency aid. The country's eastern provinces in particular are affected by an unstable security situation. In addition, several conflicts, some of them armed, and other unrest are contributing to the further weakening of the already struggling population.
Even in previously untouched provinces – such as the Kasai and Tanganyika regions – massive conflicts broke out in 2017, limiting the options for humanitarian aid considerably. Forced displacement of the population in the Nyiragongo region has been further intensified by the consequences of the 2021 volcanic eruption, which was followed by hundreds of earthquakes. More than 416,000 people in the provinces of North and South Kivu as well as Rwanda had to flee.
