Democratic Republic of Congo

This distribution warehouse supplies food to people displaced by conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo [Tim Aldred]

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a vast country roughly the size of Western Europe with immense mineral wealth and natural resources

It recently emerged from five years of devastating civil war, in which almost four million people died (the largest death toll since World War Two).

A peace deal signed in December 2002 appeared to signal the end of conflict, but competition for the country's resources is fuelling further violence.

The Catholic Church plays an important role, both in terms of the provision of basic services to the Congolese people (particularly in the east where official government presence is minimal), and also building the capacity of local civil society groups.

section highlights

No change without sacrifice Alfred Buju is now head of the Justice and Peace Commission in the DRC, but worked as a child miner to pay for his schooling

Key challenges Conflict, poverty, hunger, and the economy are all affecting development in the DRC

Making a chain of solidarity CAFOD partner Franck Bura thanks supporters for standing shoulder to shoulder with mining communities

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