Democratic Republic of Congo

Canada's Commitment
Results
Country Profile

Canada's Commitment

Canada is helping the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to promote good governance and combat inequality between women and men. In accordance with the DRC's development priorities, CIDA plans to focus on two areas of intervention: political and economic governance, and access to primary health care.

Canada has been active in the DRC for more than 30 years, particularly since 1998. Canada's development assistance has focused on good governance, rehabilitation of basic social and economic services, support for peace and security initiatives, and promotion of human rights.

Programming focuses particular attention on equality between women and men and promotion of human rights, including the Project Against Sexual Violence.

Finally, CIDA also provides the DRC with significant support in the form of humanitarian assistance, through non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies.

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Results

Here is a sampling of DRC Program results:

• CIDA contributed to civic education as part of a multi-donor effort to support the country's first elections in 40 years, in 2006. The elections saw a 70 percent voter turnout.
• The Central Bank led the macroeconomic stabilization of the DRC. CIDA supported the Bank's human resources management system in the early days after the end of several years of conflict involving the DRC and neighbouring nations.
• CIDA supports primary health care services and infrastructure in three rural health zones of Kinshasa province (population: 350,000). This support contributed to an increase in basic health intervention coverage from 35 percent in 2002 to 75 percent in 2007.

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Country Profile

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a vast country, comparable in size to Western Europe, and rich in natural resources. It shares borders with nine other countries in the Great Lakes region of Central Africa and is regarded as the stable cornerstone of the region.

The DRC is gradually recovering from an intense conflict that lasted from 1997 to 2007 and involved six neighbouring states. In 2006, it held its first democratic elections in 40 years. This largely peaceful process led to the inauguration of a new parliament and a new president, and was warmly welcomed after years of turmoil.

In July 2006, the DRC adopted its first Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), which listed five pillars of development:

• promoting good governance and consolidating peace through institution building;
• consolidating macroeconomic stability and economic growth;
• improving access to social services and reducing vulnerability;
• combating HIV/AIDS; and
• promoting community dynamics.

The strategy defines an appropriate framework for the programs of the Government of the Congo and its development partners, including CIDA. These new policies have already yielded meaningful results, especially for the country's economic stability. The challenge now is to begin a process of sustainable development that will encourage the DRC's partners to increase their assistance; help in practical ways to improve the living conditions of Congolese women and men; and stimulate private investment.