ACF International Network
water_drink.jpg
Action Against Hunger has developed its water and sanitation expertise over nearly three decades of field work, advancing a number of solutions for populations at risk from water insecurity.
water_pump.jpg
Central to the targeting of malnutrition, Action Against Hunger extends water and sanitation improvements to communities with little or no access to proper sources.
foodsec_berries.jpg
Action Against Hunger's programs are sustainable because of our commitment to community participation—to build local capacity and harnesses a population's energy and resources.
foodsec_pond.jpg
Though strategies may vary, our food security interventions all share a common goal: to fight hunger by preserving and strengthening livelihoods in a sustainable and contextual manner.
foodsec_field.jpg
Action Against Hunger’s innovative food security programs offer a broad range of solutions for generating income, boosting food production, and strengthening livelihoods.
water_hose.jpg
Our comprehensive approach to hunger involves extending water and sanitation services to communities faced with water scarcity, unsafe drinking water, and inadequate sanitation.
nutr_heal2.jpg
Action Against Hunger occupies a unique place among international organizations: our expertise encompasses emergency relief, longer-term development, and the terrain in between.
nutr_smile.jpg
We have developed an effective method to treat acute malnutrition that includes field-tested protocols and nutritional products backed by an international scientific advisory committee.
nutr_aaa.jpg
Action Against Hunger helps rehabilitate and restock public health infrastructure, fields mobile health clinics, and trains local medical personnel on preventative and diagnostic care.
nutr_nurse.jpg
Our comprehensive programs address the linkages between disease and malnutrition by coordinating with local expertise and strengthening existing public health systems.
ACF International Map
Where We Work

Beyond Historic Elections, One of the Worst Humanitarian Crises

November 17, 2006

The Democratic Republic of Congo is emerging from a crucial period of political transition. The DRC is also emerging from a decade-long conflict which (directly and indirectly) killed more than four million Congolese and has caused the country’s complete ruin. The country has been ravaged and needs to be completely rebuilt. Recent elections mark the beginning of a new challenge. In south Kivu and in Katanga, amongst others, the priority should be to curb the severe nutritional and humanitarian crisis but also to help the Congolese to re-establish the pillars of the local economy, such as agriculture and fishing. A short synopsis of a humanitarian crisis.

The DRC emerges bloodless from a 10 year conflict. Medical, transport, water and sanitation infrastructures - already in a poor condition – are completely ruined.

The question of refugees and displaced people

Hundreds of thousands of people who were displaced or forced to take refuge in neighbouring countries (Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda etc) are supposed to return to their places of origin in view of the current stability in the country. However, in South Kivu for example, populations returning since the start of 2006 are finding themselves in a situation of extreme vulnerability. Despite having access to land it is difficult to launch agricultural and fishing activities that could provide the population with food autonomy.

Agriculture and fishing: starting from zero again

Populations returning to their homes do not have anything. Action Against Hunger is distributing tools and seeds to farmers and pirogues and fishing tools to fishermen. The association is also helping people to improve production to ensure that everyone profits from food autonomy. The aim is to guarantee the communities’ autonomy in the long-term.

The whole population suffers from food insecurity due, amongst other things, to insufficient agricultural production. Agricultural techniques are archaic and the quasi mono-culture of the cassava crop is a severe problem in terms of food diversity. In addition to this, the recent outbreak of the mosaic virus, a disease that ravages cassava fields, is diminishing returns. This means that the Congolese are in a continuous state of lack of food in both quality and quantity.

Water and sanitation: a disastrous condition

The state of water and sanitation infrastructure is disastrous (often due to lack of funds and maintenance for many years). Severe peaks of cholera outbreaks still create many victims. The consumption of unsafe water and lack of access to sanitation also leads to diarrhoeal diseases that can result in malnutrition.

A very severe nutritional crisis

Lack of sanitation and access to water, the difficult agricultural and fishing revival and the mosaic virus are all factors that can bring about malnutrition. Despite a return to peace and security, Action Against Hunger teams confirm a continuing and very severe nutritional crisis. Depending on the agricultural season, extremely weak children (and adults) flock to Action Against Hunger’s Therapeutic Feeding Centres in South Kivu and Katanga. Society has lost its structure due to years of conflict and uncertainty. Malnutrition can also be caused by different cultural beliefs, infant feeding practices and problems with breastfeeding.

According to a report by the IRC, 1,200 people are still dying every day in the DRC as a result of the war and the severe humanitarian crisis. Beyond the results of this decisive election, if peace and security last, the Congolese have an immense task ahead of them. Action Against Hunger calls for the International community and donors to support the Congolese extensively.

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger / Action Contre la Faim (ACF), an international relief and development organization committed to saving the lives of malnourished children and families, provides sustainable access to safe water and long-term solutions to hunger. For nearly three decades, ACF has pursued its vision of a world without hunger by combating hunger in emergency situations of conflict, natural disaster, and chronic food insecurity.

Press Contact

Action Against Hunger - USA

James L. Phelan
Senior External Relations Officer, ACF-USA
Contact James Phelan
Direct: 212-967-7800 x108
Cell: 646-265-7796