Roles Evolving in the D.R. Congo

The Protestant Church of Congo (ECC), a long-term partner of IMA in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), will take increased responsibility for an emerging new program initiative related to malaria and HIV/AIDS. Groundwork that began several months ago to expand the role of Congolese leadership for this initiative continued to be laid out during two-day planning meetings held in New Windsor in May (shown at left).

"There is no way to build sustainable solutions without full participation of national partners," said President Paul Derstine. "Building the capacity of our in-country partners is an ongoing goal at IMA, so it is tremendously exciting and rewarding to see continued growth in the operational capacity of the ECC."

IMA's work in the DRC began in 2000 with funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and has supported the provision of basic health services for approximately 10 million people, including vaccinations, treatment for water-borne illnesses, delivery of medications, distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets to treat and control malaria, initiatives to improve maternal and child health, training of health care workers, and improving access to clean drinking water. IMA has worked with the ECC and other Congolese partners throughout this time, helping to expand their role to build sustainable solutions to health care challenges.