Our work in Democratic Republic of Congo
Diseases such as river blindness affect millions of people in DRC. In 2017 we helped to distribute almost 3 million treatments to prevent these debilitating diseases.
Sightsavers is working to eliminate neglected tropical diseases in DRC.
River blindness is endemic, with an estimated 40 million people requiring preventative treatment, while an estimated 37 million people require preventative treatment for lymphatic filariasis.
We are helping the poorest communities in the country to reoccupy fertile agricultural land close to a river and earn an income. The project will reduce the number of children who stay at home because of severe skin conditions or to care for relatives who have become blind or disfigured, enabling them to attend school.
We are also training health workers and supporting mass drug administration across communities to stop the spread of river blindness and LF. The project will start to treat people in the province of Ituri Nord, which borders Uganda, and is crucial to ensure that efforts to eliminate river blindness in the neighbouring country are also successful.
At a glance
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Key programmes
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Including people with disabilities in African political life
Findings from our research show that lack of education and financial resources, social stigma and inaccessible physical infrastructure contribute to a lack of political participation in Africa.
How our research is finding new ways to fight river blindness
For more than 20 years, medication has been distributed in Cameroon to stop the spread of river blindness. Yet people are still testing positive for the disease. We wanted to know why.
Putting people at the centre of our work to eliminate neglected tropical diseases
Sightsavers' river blindness and lymphatic filariasis programme has delivered 60 million treatments in four countries. Here’s what we’ve learned from the project.
50,000 patients screened during first year of innovative cataract project
The Cameroon Cataract Development Impact Loan brings together public and private investors alongside eye care delivery experts and charities, including Sightsavers.
Mbalmayo Disability Group, Cameroon
In Cameroon there are laws protecting the rights of people with disabilities, including the right to vote. Yet many still struggle to access the ballot box.
Michel’s story
“The message we want to give through this radio show is that people with disabilities in Cameroon are able to take part in the electoral process.”
Robert’s story
Robert Oyono is Cameroon’s first senator with a disability, and is calling for people with disabilities to be included in the political process.
Nanny’s story
“I didn’t know that disabled people have the right to vote. I didn’t know if it was for a certain class and a certain age.”
Eveline’s story
“People have a lot of misconceptions about blind women. They think that people with visual impairments cannot do anything at all.”
Adieme’s story
“I think if there is a wide mobilisation of the vote among disabled people, it can change things in our country.”
Braving the odds to combat NTDs in Democratic Republic of Congo
Sightsavers surveillance manager Ndellejong Cosmas Ejong explains what has already been achieved in DRC, and how we’re pushing ahead to tackle these debilitating neglected tropical diseases.
A battle to reach the ballot box: Cameroon’s growing disability movement
As Cameroon prepares for its general election, Sightsavers Country Director Joseph Oye explains why he hopes more people with disabilities will vote.
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