Henriette's Relief Project
 
 
 
Henriette's Relief Project Needs

Henriette’s Relief Project (HRP) is currently supporting the efforts of our sister program, Henriette Kutuka Memorial Fund (HKMF), in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

 

Introduction

Just as in the rest of the Congo, the situation for children in Kinshasa is very difficult and there are great needs. It is the direct result of a profound political, social and economic crisis in the DRC. According to basic development indicators presented by various agencies, the country has basically fallen into a black hole. To get out of this situation it will require a firm political commitment to a participatory democracy, in which citizens can be heard.

Economy

In 2000, the population in DRC was estimated 51,965,000. The public external debt was 10 times the yearly export of goods and services. Per capita income was less than US $100 and 80% of the population lives in absolute poverty.

Health and Nutritional Situation
  • 75% of the population is unable to satisfy basic food needs.
  • 34% of children under 5 are chronically malnourished.
  • 10% of children under 5 suffer from acute protein-caloric malnutrition.
  • 61% of children under 3 are Vitamin A deficient.
  • Maternal mortality rate is 1,837 per 100,000. Associated conditions (malaria, anemia, malnutrition and AIDS) and hemorrhage are among key causes of maternal mortality.
  • Estimated number of adults living with HIV/AIDS at end of 1999 is 1,100,000.
  • In 1999 the estimated number of deaths due to AIDS was 95,000 and 800,000 children have been orphaned.

Conflict and humanitarian crisis in the DRC has taken 5.4 million lives since 1998, according to a major mortality survey just released by the International Rescue Committee.  The vast majority of deaths are from pneumonia, malaria, diarrhea, malnutrition and other preventable diseases.  Children bear the brunt of the DRC’s health crisis.  They constitute one half of the deaths even though they make up only 19% of the DRC’s population.  45,000 people die every month

Current Situation

The current situation is best summarized in the World Development Report 2005. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this report was released on 10 October 2005 by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) representative in the Congo. According to this source, the figures published on mortality in the Congo by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), indicated a rate of 1000 deaths per day.  The Humanitarian Rights World (HRW) Report 2005, published in 2006, indicates about 31,000 deaths per month for the entire country.

When these figures are added to what is estimated at 2 million internally displaced persons, according to the UNDP representative, the result is one of the most terrible humanitarian crises that the world has known since the Second World War.

In addition to this mortality rate, which is the highest in sub-Saharan Africa, the UNDP report reveals other indicators which show that the country has reached a poverty level never yet reached since independence. The DRC is ranked 167th out of 177 member countries of the United Nations. The report also highlights other troubling indicators:  the probability at birth of dying before 40 years of age is 45%, the literacy rate of adults (15 and older) is 35%, and the population without access to a sanitary water source is 54%. 

In addition, the UN Refugee High Commission, in its "State of the World’s Refugees 2006", estimates that 2/3 of the Congolese population suffers from malnutrition and that 70% of children do not attend school.

Paradoxically, despite the war, which a number of persons see as an alibi, the Congolese population lives in extreme poverty, in the face of the wealth of resources the country possesses.

How You Can Help

In the past 6 years we have raised over $70,000 to help children in the Democratic Republic of Congo and are committed to raising $25,000 annually to continue this relief effort. HRP needs your help and donations to meet our goals. Here is a sample of what your gifts can mean to these children.

$10      11 lbs of powdered milk
$25      110 lbs of maize (corn is a dietary staple)
$50      Back to School Kits provide1-year of education for a child
$100    2 micro-loans to begin a business helping parents support their families.