Where We Work

Democratic Republic of the Congo

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The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the largest, most populous, and most naturally resource-rich states on the African continent, but it is also characterized by internal conflict, severe political instability, and severely deficient basic services. Food insecurity and malnutrition, poverty and violence generate millions of refugees and displaced people each year.

Our results in the country

Areas of intervention :
Areas of intervention:
Humanitarian assistance Training Protection Health Food Security Nutrition Security
10 projects
20% development
80% emergency
820,752

direct beneficiaries

14

Expat workers

169

Local workers

Areas of intervention:
Areas of intervention:
Water and Sanitation Humanitarian assistance Training Governance, civil society and human rights Migration Protection Health Food Security Nutrition Security Economic development
346 projects
25% development
75% emergency
8,579,016

direct beneficiaries

COOPI presence in the DRC

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of Africa’s largest and most resource-rich countries, yet it remains plagued by persistent conflict, political instability and limited access to basic social services. Food insecurity, malnutrition, poverty and violence result in millions of refugees and internally displaced persons every year.Active in the country since 1977, COOPI has in-depth knowledge of the context and operates in several sectors, including the protection of communities, support for victims, the fight against malnutrition and the promotion of food security.The organisation pays particular attention to women and children who are victims of violence and human rights violations, offering psychosocial support, nutritional care, prevention and protection activities, as well as initiatives to facilitate their reintegration into education and society.

COOPI in DRC today 

In the DRC, COOPI has developed an integrated, multi-sectoral approach centred on two pillars: responding to the urgent needs of populations affected by conflict and climate shocks, and supporting communities in early recovery by strengthening their resilience to crises.

COOPI is strongly committed to combating malnutrition through prevention, therapeutic care and the strengthening of community nutritional security. At the same time, the organisation implements initiatives aimed at strengthening food security for vulnerable households, in synergy with the nutrition sector. The protection of children and women who are victims of violence is also a key area of intervention. Every year, COOPI provides multi-sectoral support to help survivors overcome trauma.

Main sectors of intervention today

In response to the severe malnutrition affecting the country and the urgent needs of vulnerable children and mothers, COOPI promotes nutritional security in DRC by intervening on multiple fronts:

  • TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN WITH SEVERE AND MODERATE MALNUTRITION WITHIN OUTPATIENT NUTRITIONAL THERAPEUTIC UNITS;
  • AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS ON GOOD PRACTICES IN BREASTFEEDING, INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD FEEDING AND FOOD DIVERSIFICATION TECHNIQUES;
  • NEWBORN SCREENING FOR MALNUTRITION AND TRAINING ON BRACHIAL PERIMETER MEASUREMENT;
  • ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHOOL CANTEENS AND NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE TO BOYS AND GIRLS REINTEGRATED INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM;
  • COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS, COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS, AND INVOLVEMENT OF NUMEROUS LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS, , INCLUDING HEALTH DISTRICTS IN THE INTERVENTION AREAS AND IYCF SUPPORT GROUPS (INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD FEEDING).
2026
7

projects

239,055

beneficiaries

COOPI has been promoting Food Security in DRC since it began operations in the country in 1977. Within this framework, COOPI continuously implements integrated development programs that mainly include:

  • DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD, SEEDS AND AGRICULTURAL KITS;
  • INITIATION AND REVITALIZATION OF AGROPASTORAL ACTIVITIES;
  • IMPROVEMENT OF STORAGE CAPACITIES FOR AGRICULTURAL AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS;
  • TECHNICAL TRAINING THROUGH FARMERS’ FIELD SCHOOLS;
  • REVITALISATION OF VILLAGE SAVINGS AND CREDIT ASSOCIATIONS;
  • PROMOTION OF LABOUR-INTENSIVE PROJECTS;
  • SUPPORT FOR SMALL AGRICULTURAL ENTREPRENEURS.

Protection activities are a central component of the programmes carried out by COOPI in the DRC. They are integrated into the majority of interventions, with a particular focus on children and women.

In particular, COOPI promotes psycho-social support and access to free healthcare in the country, implementing prevention and protection projects against forced recruitment of children in conflict contexts, The organisation also develops activities aimed at promoting access to education and the socio-economic reintegration of affected people, adopting a participatory and gender-sensitive approach. Within this framework, COOPI implements protection activities at multiple levels:

  • PROTECTION MECHANISMS FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN, CHILDREN FORMERLY ASSOCIATED WITH ARMED GROUPS, VICTIMS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE;
  • MECHANISMS FOR IDENTIFYING, MONITORING AND REPORTING SERIOUS VIOLATIONS OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS;
  • LISTENING CENTERS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN TO ACCOMPANY THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND RESTORE THEIR SELF-ESTEEM AFTER TRAUMA;
  • CREATION OF PROTECTED SPACES AND CHILD-FRIENDLY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES;
  • SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL AND ECONOMIC REINTEGRATION ACTIVITIES FOR VICTIMS OF WAR CRIMES AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY;
  • AWARENESS SESSIONS ON PEACE EDUCATION, GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH;
  • PROMOTION OF INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES AIMED AT ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN BENEFICIARIES.
2026
3

projects

581,697

beneficiaries

Find out where we operate in Democratic Republic of the Congo

COOPI development lines in DRC 

 

  • Protection: COOPI aims to strengthen a holistic support programme encompassing health services, psychosocial support and pathways to economic reintegration, designed for survivors of gender-based violence, unaccompanied minors and victims of armed conflict. The goal is to reinforce technical assistance, provide specialist training and improve monitoring of local dynamics and community needs, adopting a sustainable approach that guarantees long-term continuity and accountability;
  • Nutrition: COOPI aims to strengthen synergies between malnutrition prevention and management activities by experimenting innovative community-based practices that directly involve families and local communities, such as Community-Based Nutrition (CBN), ensuring continuous monitoring of the effectiveness of these interventions;
  • Food security: COOPI plans to strengthen its efforts to provide more sustainable support for community resilience by strengthening local agri-food supply chains, providing technical assistance to small producer groups and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Furthermore, COOPI is in the process of developing a multi-sectoral approach that integrates food security and nutrition.
INSTITUTIONAL DONORS
CLUSTER
INSTITUTIONS
NATIONAL AND LOCAL PARTNERS
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

COOPI activities in DRC are currently funded by:

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Nutrition • Protection • Food Security • PSEA • Logistics

National Nutrition Program (PRONANUT) • Ministry of Health • Ministry of Gender, Family and Children • Ministry of Social Affairs

AFPDE • Action Humanitaire pour le Développement Durable (AHDD) • Heal Africa • PADI • Social Développement Center (SDC) • Sofepadi

ALIMA • ActionAid • Help a Child • Intersos

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Contact :
cm.rdc@coopi.org

COOPI - RÉPUBLIQUE DÉMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO École Belge, Bureau 55, Avenue de la Gombe N° 01 Gombe, Kinshasa