The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Start of program: 2011
Country key figure:
89 million inhabitants¹
70 deaths per 1,000 births²
5.5 million internally displaced persons²
504, 290 children with severe acute malnutrition³
ALIMA’s key figure:
3,434 persons treated for Ebola
9,572 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition cared for
Areas of intervention:
Outbreak response
Maternal health
Conflicts and population displacement
Nutrition
Research and innovation
Country context
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continued to face a complex humanitarian crisis, with violence worsening in several areas of the country in 2020. Nearly 3.4 million children under the age of five suffered from acute malnutrition⁴. The country continued to fight the 10th Ebola outbreak in North Kivu province, which ended on June 25, while an 11th outbreak appeared in Equateur province on June 1, and continued until November 18, 2020.
ALIMA’s Impact – Our fieldwork
Emergency response
ALIMA responded to the 10th Ebola outbreak in North Kivu province, which ended on June 25, while an 11th outbreak appeared in Equateur province on June 1, and continued until November 18, 2020.
Research and nutrition
Since 2018, ALIMA has been conducting an innovative research project (OptiMa) to simplify the treatment of acute malnutrition.
Access to primary health care in Beni
ALIMA continued its support in the Beni area with a health, nutrition and protection response, and provided care for victims of sexual violence.
Focus on 2020
ALIMA responded to two measles outbreaks in Kasai Oriental, where it also provided emergency medical-nutritional care. In the same province, the OptiMA randomized trial on simplifying the treatment of acute malnutrition, which launched in 2018, completed the inclusion and care phase of the children.
ALIMA also provided medical care for a total of 3,434 suspected and confirmed Ebola patients who were treated in six Ebola Treatment Centers and 10 Integrated Treatment Centers. Over 775 health personnel were trained as part of the Ebola response.
COVID-19 response
Based on its previous experience of responding to outbreaks in the country, ALIMA also responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, following the notification of the first confirmed case on March 10, by setting up a treatment center at the University Clinics of Kinshasa and at the General Referral Hospital of Beni. 634 people were treated, and patients, their family members and health staff were provided with psychological support. 303 health workers were trained on best practices for patient care, triage, Infection Prevention and Control measures, Water, Hygiene and Sanitation activities, and biosafety policies.
* Cover picture © Sylvain Cherkaoui / ALIMA
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