Democratic Republic of Congo

On 19 July, we fly from Bujumura to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. From there, we drive for six hours through dense forest, crossing the border into the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and on to Bukavu, capital of the South Kivu province. We are here to visit our Congolese partners, three of which have their headquarters in this chaotic city.

The DRC is the size of Western Europe and home to over 66 million people. Despite a wealth of natural resources, it is a country in turmoil. The Second Congo War, which began in 1998, has had a devastating effect. Often referred to as the African World War, it involved seven foreign armies and left 5.4 million people dead making it the deadliest conflict since World War II.

Despite the signing of peace accords in 2003, fighting continues in the east of the country where levels of rape and gender-based violence are among the worst in the world. SCIAF has four partners in South Kivu: the CDJP (Diocesan Justice and Peace Comission) Bukavu; CDJP Uvira; CODILUSI (Diocesan Committee in the Fight Against AIDS); and AJV (Judicial Support for Victims of Violence). Each works with the survivors of rape and sexual violence and is attempting to build peace and promote justice in this troubled region.