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UNHCR continues to provide life-saving support to people living in the DRC. See what we're doing on the ground!



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Fatuma Kapuweli has a daily struggle to keep her children fed and out of danger.

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Stories From The Field

Francesca Fontanini, DRC

Francesca Fontanini, DRC

"I will not forget the sad and determined eyes of the Congolese women I met in the eastern DRC."

"After almost two years here in the DRC, I will soon be leaving this challenging, interesting mission. But I will not forget the sad and determined eyes of the Congolese rape victims I met in the eastern DRC. Women are among the most common targets of this hidden war and rape is the weapon used to destroy them, their families and whole communities."

Our field and protection staff work many hours each day helping victims of sexual violence through counselling and awareness-raising projects in a very difficult and dangerous environment. There were more than 60 incidents of violence against humanitarian staff last year.

A routine media question is about the number of rapes; a high number makes a dramatic story. According to UN figures, the number of women violated in the first six months of this year in the eastern DRC is 3,500. It is just an estimate as most of the fighting and rapes take place in remote areas.

But rape is not about numbers - each case needs attention. In Europe or Australia a single case would be reported in the news, here thousands of women suffer in silence.

When these women are finally released or escape, they have nothing and are often rejected by their families. I wondered why they told me the details, but I could feel it help in the healing even if I could not imagine the ways in which they were hurt. I saw the call for help in their eyes and knew I had to use UNHCR to make their voices heard.

There may be little justice in Congo, but there are organisations trying to help rape survivors recover. Women for Women International, a UNHCR partner, teaches reading and writing, how to make soap or cook to earn money. For many women, it is the first time they have been in a classroom - their chance for a new life. The activities may seem modest, but they are helping women to rebuild their lives.