02-12-2025 | di COOPI

DRC: COOPI and EHA strengthen access to nutrition and education for children affected by the conflict

For years, the population of the areas around Goma, in North Kivu (Democratic Republic of Congo), has been suffering from ongoing clashes. Hundreds of thousands of people, including many children, have fled their homes and villages in search of safety and now live in extremely precarious conditions in makeshift camps on the outskirts of the city, deprived of essential services such as drinking water, hygiene, and food.

COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale worked with its local partner, Expertise Humanitaire et Sociale (EHA), to improve the living conditions of more than 2,000 children by ensuring access to nutritious food and educational opportunities.

COOPI and EHA carried out the project, completed in July, titled “Emergency multisectoral assistance in the areas of nutrition and education for communities affected by the M23 crisis in North Kivu Province”, thanks to funding from OCHA (the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs).

Among the beneficiaries of the project is Sifa, nine years old, from Sake, in the Masisi territory in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. She once lived peacefully with her family: her parents, her older brother, and her two younger brothers. Then war reached her region, and everything suddenly collapsed. Her family had to flee for safety and eventually found refuge in a displacement site in Mugunga, west of Goma.

We walked for a long time to find a safer place. We left everything behind.

At first, adapting was difficult. Sifa withdrew into herself. She hardly spoke, didn’t play anymore, and isolated herself.

At the beginning, I was afraid. I had a lot of sadness inside me. I thought I would never be able to learn again, that I would no longer go to school. I loved school so much, especially French, and I missed it terribly.

Thanks to the project, two Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS) with 8 classrooms were built. School supplies were distributed, specially trained teachers conducted lessons in a safe environment, and community facilitators supported the children to help them express their emotions and regain stability.

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For Sifa, this initiative marks a gradual return to her bearings. She goes back to class with motivation, receives pens, notebooks, pencils, and a schoolbag, and rediscovers the joy of learning. Little by little, she makes friends, participates actively in class, and even becomes a support for classmates in difficulty. The change is visible: she smiles more, opens up, and regains confidence.

I was very happy; I went back to class with joy. I received pens, notebooks, pencils, and a schoolbag.

Sifa’s story is a reminder that in the heart of crises, access to education can restore support and hope for the youngest.