D.R. Congo > Programme description
1. How long has Medair been in the country?
Medair has been active in the country since before the conflict began in 1996. We are one of the most trusted international NGOs in the region because of our longstanding involvement and the wide geographical coverage of our health services programme.
2. What is Medair doing in the country?
Medair’s main goal in D.R. Congo is to support the improvement of the health status of the population, particularly in the remote and vulnerable areas of northeast Congo that are affected by the ongoing socio-economic crisis and continued localised conflicts. Medair is also rebuilding and rehabilitating health facilities, and providing safe water and sanitation access within those buildings. We are particularly focused on providing primary health care and psychosocial support to conflict-traumatised people and victims of sexual violence, especially children.
Medair supports over 500 health structures in northeast Congo, working vigilantly to build the capacity of health staff and health authorities through expert training and supervision.
3. Where are we working?
Woman with her child in a clinic
Ituri District:
Medair supports the Congolese health system in 226 health structures in Ituri, spanning 19 health zones. 684,000 patients are treated each year (an average of 57,000 per month) in a catchment area of 1,300,000 people.
Ituri District was severely affected by the longstanding conflict, and the collapse of the health system took a deadly toll on the population. Medair was the first NGO to provide health services in Ituri during the war in 1996, and we have stayed on ever since, through times of fighting and severe unrest.
Haut and Bas-Uélés Districts:
In Haut and Bas-Uélés Districts, Medair supports the Congolese health system in 297 health structures across 14 health zones. 384,000 patients are treated every year (an average of 32,000 per month) in a catchment area of 1,200,000 people.
Medair is the only international NGO providing support to these remote and forgotten health zones of the Dingila Health District within the Bas-Uélé administrative District.
4. How many people are working for Medair in DRC?
Medair employs approximately 8 internationally recruited staff (IRS) and over 110 nationally recruited staff (NRS) in D.R. Congo.