Sightsavers in the Democratic Republic of Congo

We’re working with the Congolese government and our partners across Africa to distribute medication to protect people from neglected tropical diseases.

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Located in central Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the continent’s largest countries.

Despite progress in improving its health care system, many people in the country are unable to access medical care, and those who can are expected to pay for their treatment. As one of the world’s poorest countries, access to medicine that can treat and prevent infectious diseases is limited.

Sightsavers’ work in the Democratic Republic of Congo focuses on protecting people from neglected tropical diseases such as river blindness and lymphatic filariasis. Thanks to funding from GiveWell, we’re distributing medication in primary schools to treat and protect children from diseases that can cause serious health problems and disability.

Our flagship programme Ascend West and Central Africa helped health ministries to prevent infectious diseases, train health workers and distribute medication to local communities.

Country facts

  • Population: 115 million
  • Capital: Kinshasa
  • Official language: French
  • Human development index (HDI) ranking: 171 (low)

A man walks down a path through high grass.

Access to medical care is limited, and many people are unable to get medicine to treat and prevent infectious diseases.

A man walks down a path through high grass.

How you can help

Our work in the Democratic Republic of Congo is helping to control infectious diseases, but there’s still more we need to do.

With your support, we want to ensure that everyone at risk from preventable neglected tropical diseases receives the essential medication needed to protect them. To do this, we need your help.

Charity donations, legacies, corporate partnerships and gifts from charitable foundations are a vital source of funding for our work in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We also welcome opportunities to work in partnership with governments, institutions and development organisations.

I’d like to get involved...

Contact us: If you have any questions about our work in the country, would like more information about our programmes or wish to discuss ways you can donate or support us, email [email protected]

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