More about the country
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is located in the center of Africa and is a vast country – the second largest on the continent. At 2,267,048 square kilometers, it is the 12th largest country in the world and a quarter the size of the United States. DRC shares borders with nine different African countries.
Ethnic rivalries following the civil war mean that violence is still a daily threat in large areas of the country. It’s estimated that some 4.5 million Congolese have been internally displaced and a further 700,000 have fled into neighboring countries. With poor governmental control and a struggle for natural resources, millions of people live in desperate poverty.
The result is that millions of people struggle every day just to find enough to eat. It’s estimated that over three million children under the age of five are suffering from acute malnutrition, and that half of these are stunted or anemic. This is not only a tragedy for today, but also has profound implications on the future of these children and indeed, the whole country.
In fact, it’s estimated that malaria, diarrhea, respiratory illnesses, malnutrition and pre-term birth complications account for over 40% of child deaths. And almost every one of these cases could have been successfully treated with the right medicines, surgeries and care. But the people are simply too poor to access any proper healthcare even in more urban areas where some provision exists. In addition, HIV/AIDS has infected over one million people, leaving many children orphaned and at further risk.
It’s against this challenging situation that Children's Hope Fund Hong Kong is working tirelessly to help support surgeons and clinics, whilst also sending emergency medicines and medical supplies to the most deprived areas. Our vital work is saving young lives, but there are still many dangerously sick, hungry and suffering children in great need of lifesaving help.
Our support in DR Congo:
Project Marathon
Food for the little ones
English class
Ethnic rivalries following the civil war mean that violence is still a daily threat in large areas of the country. It’s estimated that some 4.5 million Congolese have been internally displaced and a further 700,000 have fled into neighboring countries. With poor governmental control and a struggle for natural resources, millions of people live in desperate poverty.
A daily struggle just to survive
Already recognized by both the United Nations and World Bank as one of the very poorest countries in the world, the situation has been made far worse in recent years by the consequences of conflict, drought and widespread disease.The result is that millions of people struggle every day just to find enough to eat. It’s estimated that over three million children under the age of five are suffering from acute malnutrition, and that half of these are stunted or anemic. This is not only a tragedy for today, but also has profound implications on the future of these children and indeed, the whole country.
Children dying from preventable conditions
With the country still reeling from the civil war in particular, which claimed six million lives, primary health care services have broken down in rural areas. So when killer diseases like cholera, typhoid, malaria and yellow fever strike, they can very quickly spread as the people have little or no protection from them.In fact, it’s estimated that malaria, diarrhea, respiratory illnesses, malnutrition and pre-term birth complications account for over 40% of child deaths. And almost every one of these cases could have been successfully treated with the right medicines, surgeries and care. But the people are simply too poor to access any proper healthcare even in more urban areas where some provision exists. In addition, HIV/AIDS has infected over one million people, leaving many children orphaned and at further risk.
It’s against this challenging situation that Children's Hope Fund Hong Kong is working tirelessly to help support surgeons and clinics, whilst also sending emergency medicines and medical supplies to the most deprived areas. Our vital work is saving young lives, but there are still many dangerously sick, hungry and suffering children in great need of lifesaving help.
Saving lives, one child at a time
With child suffering in DRC on such a huge scale, it’s a huge challenge for CHF to make an impact. But it has always been our mission to save young lives one child at a time. Not just in DRC, but in all the world’s poorest countries where we work, there are children alive today who wouldn't have been, had CHF not been there for them in their hour of greatest need.Our support in DR Congo:
Project Marathon
Food for the little ones
English class