USHINDI program expands focus

In one year, the USHINDI program has improved the lives of hundreds of thousands men, women and children in the eastern portion of the DR Congo.

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Following years of conflict and poverty, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) experiences some of the most extreme sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the world. Although SGBV can affect anyone, women and girls are most vulnerable and suffer the most from an epidemic of severe rape and abuse.

IMA and local partners have been there to support and help those affected. And now we will be able to do even more. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) recently awarded an add-on grant to complement the ongoing USHINDI program. The $1,125,000 grant will go toward a new set of activities to focus on strengthening women’s ability to lead by building their capacity for participation in the democratic process and conflict resolution, and championing family planning and reproductive health.

USHINDI is a five-year USAID-funded program designed to provide a holistic approach integrating medical, legal, psychosocial, and economic support services to survivors and those affected by SGBV. Accomplishing critical gains in SGBV awareness and responsive care and treatment needs, results to date include:

• Assisted a total 8,458 victims of SGBV and other beneficiaries, 7,644 of whom were females; 2,924 of 8,458 were children under 18, 2,682 of whom were females.
• Provided health services to 5,877 persons, 5,528 of whom were females.
• Provided psychosocial support to 8,447 persons, 7,624 of whom were females.
• Provided legal support to 2,455, 1,855 of whom were females.
• Took to court a total of 717 SGBV cases, 713 of whom involved violations against women.
• Supported 25,194 persons with social-economic reintegration.
• Engaged 168,941 community leaders in behavior change communication activities.
• Involved 239,273 school children in behavior change communication activities.
• Trained a total of 2,420 service providers who serve vulnerable persons.
• Supported 108 health facilities that serve victims of sexual and gender-based violence in 10 target Health Zones.
• Strengthened a total of 90 organizations that included community-based organizations, Non-Governmental organizations and faith-based organizations that serve vulnerable populations in the 10 target Health Zones in Eastern DR Congo.
• Operationalized 9 safe houses which are used as a refuge for women survivors of SGBV and provide emergency services in terms of protection, legal, psychosocial and economic support.