Where we work
CongoAction works in the Kivu Province in the east of the Congo and is mainly in the areas of Kabare Territory, Birava-Irambira and Bagira-Bukavu. Lake Kivu plays an important part in the lives of many people who rely on fishing to meet their daily needs, as does agriculture and smallholdings.
The population of these areas is estimated at between 85,000 and 90,000 people. Many of whom are women, children and the elderly.
The population of these areas is estimated at between 85,000 and 90,000 people. Many of whom are women, children and the elderly.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Total Population - 60,644,000*
Life Expectancy for men - 46 years*
Life Expectancy for women - 49 years*
Documentaries to watch about The DR Congo
World's Most Dangerous Roads
Free to watch documentaries available from YouTube. Below are links to three filmed in the DR Congo
The Congo could be one of the richtest countries in the world. Four times the size of Texas with an abundance of natural resources. Forty years of the ravages of war and dictatorship instead has made it one of the poorest despite the riches within - diamonds and other precious resources. When the Congo gained its independence it had the best road network in central Africa, but the situation has deteriorated and today only 2% of roads are paved; during the rainy season, many parts of the country turn into a muddy bog. In terms of agriculture, North Kivu is one of the most prosperous regions in central Africa and so it is relied upon to feed the nation. We follow the nightmare journey of the delivery drivers as they try to ship their products around the country as they fight the mud on journeys that will push the toughest among them to their limits.
We make the epic journey from Kinshasha, capital of the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa), via Bandaka, Lisala, and Mbumba to Kisangani, the third-largest city in this vast country. The only way to move between the cities is by boat or plane. And I think it goes without saying, most people do not own or have access to a plane. So boat it is.
We join 1500 people on board the 'Gbemani', sailing along the Congo River. Without freshwater, electricity, or medicines, it is a perilous voyage. A nurse, herself traveler on the boat, looks after her fellow passengers, even performing a terrifying operation to save a man's foot without an anesthetic. But amongst the trials and tribulations, come moments of joy, including the birth of a baby, named after the ship. Gbemani.
An awe-inspiring journey. Enjoy!
Years of war have left Congo’s infrastructure in ruins. In a country with no airport, no viable rail system and where the roads are almost totally unusable, transporting goods has become a serious problem.
We’ll follow Eugene and Domingo through their journey which will soon become a nightmare. Slippery or eroded roads are common and often truck get bogged down. Drivers and passengers have to find solutions to free the lorry. Digging holes, pushing the truck with a trunk or tow it, all ways are good. Sometimes the vehicle can stay stuck in the mud for several weeks. The risk is also the mechanical breakdown since the trucks are second-hand materials from Europe and are in really bad state.