Democratic Republic of the Congo: saving lives, rebuilding livelihoods

3-11-2006 Photo Collection

This gallery contains images and excerpts from a new ICRC photo exhibition that provides a fresh look at the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It depicts the central human concerns arising out of years of violence in which hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives, focusing on key issues such as child soldiers, sexual violence, health, water, economic security, helping abandoned communities, reuniting families and 'fighting right', and provides an overview of what the ICRC is doing to tackle these challenges.

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Female victims of sexual violence, Panzi Hospital, Bukavu, South Kivu.

Coping with sexual violence (2)

A special care programme for rape victims has been introduced in ICRC-supported health facilities in the eastern part of the DRC. The programme includes preventive treatment against possible infection with HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

In South Kivu, the ICRC recently extended the approach, including prevention, awareness-raising and medical and psychosocial support. Interviews with victims and documented cases were used to prepare a confidential presentation to the relevant authorities.
The ICRC also initiated contacts with military commanders in order to target armed forces.
In the first half of 2006, 64 victims of sexual violence were treated in health centres and ICRC-trained volunteers counselled 428 victims of sexual violence.

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