DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
context
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ongoing conflict for more than three decades has led to widespread displacement, and millions are facing food insecurity and malnutrition as a result. In January 2025, the conflict between government forces and armed groups in the east of the country severely escalated, with catastrophic consequences for children and families.
At the same time, the pullback of development and humanitarian support from governments around the world is having a devastating impact on available assistance, making it even harder for families to access essential services. With DRC among the 10 most affected countries by the US aid suspension, this funding gap risks deepening the crisis for those in urgent need.
YOUR IMPACT IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
1,685
Teachers trained
61,551
Children reached through protection services, mental health support, school improvements or direct enrolment into education
14,204
Adults reached through training in child protection or positive parenting
what we are doing
Street Child is proud to work with a strong network of Congolese partners, who remain steadfastly in place and are working to respond to the current crisis across North and South Kivu. We are also working in the Mai-Ndombe region in western DRC, where conflict between tribes has escalated, displacing thousands of families.
Across eastern DRC, intensifying hostilities have forced over 700,000 people to flee dismantled displacement camps in search of safety in the region's main cities, Goma and Bukavu. But instead of refuge, they have found themselves displaced once again. With armed groups taking control of Goma and Bukavu, children are at extreme risk—many are unaccompanied and vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups, trafficking, exploitation, and abuse.
Street Child is supporting 5 children's clubs to provide mental health support and a safe space for children to play and socialise, bringing important moments of healing amid the chaos. We are also running radio programmes to help continue children's education and avoid learning disruptions as much as possible.
In partnership with local organisations, Street Child’s Endeleya project is focused on providing mental health support to children and teachers returning to schools in North and South Kivu. Endeleya is also working with schools that have suffered significant damage from ongoing conflict, including shattered windows, damaged doors and furniture, and stolen essential learning materials. We are helping these school communities rebuild and heal by providing access to counselling and essential services. Additionally, by training community volunteers and strengthening local child protection efforts, Endeleya ensures that these volunteers are equipped to identify, support, and protect the children returning to school.
Street Child is supporting children and families in a conflict-affected rural area of Mai-Ndombe, delivering education, protection, clean water, and livelihoods support through our Lisanga project. In response to the escalating conflict, which has displaced large numbers of children, we are helping them return to school by distributing school kits and building and rehabilitating classrooms. We’re also strengthening community-based child protection systems by forming and supporting local protection committees, helping prevent exploitation and abuse. To further improve the safety and resilience of learning environments, we are training teachers, restoring land damaged by deforestation, and introducing greening initiatives in and around schools
Wote Shuleni—meaning “all at school” in Swahili—is a project focused on increasing school enrolment, improving infrastructure, and supporting the wellbeing of conflict-affected children in South Kivu. Prioritising girls and internally displaced children, the project provides catch-up classes for those who have been out of school, helping them reintegrate into primary education. To ensure children not only return to school but remain there, Wote Shuleni takes a holistic, three-pronged approach—addressing barriers through education support, caregiver empowerment and livelihoods assistance, and community-based child protection and mental health support.
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