Our work in Democratic Republic of Congo
Diseases such as river blindness affect millions of people in DRC. In 2019 we helped to distribute more than 3.7 million treatments to prevent these debilitating diseases.
Sightsavers is working to eliminate neglected tropical diseases in DRC.
River blindness is endemic, with an estimated 46 million people requiring preventative treatment, while an estimated 42 million people require preventative treatment for lymphatic filariasis (LF).
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 treats 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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Photos from Sightsavers river blindness projects feature at prominent research event
A selection of Sightsavers river blindness photographs featured as part of the Coalition for Operational Research on Neglected Tropical Diseases (COR-NTD) conference.
Finding nomadic communities: our research in action
How do you provide treatment for neglected tropical diseases like river blindness when you can’t find some of the people who are most at risk?
Three Sightsavers nominees win IAPB awards
The accolades, from the the International Association and Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), recognise and celebrate young and upcoming staff and volunteers within the eye health sector.
Programme staff explain how we’re supporting children's learning during lockdown
Sightsavers staff provide a first-hand insight into the five ways we’re making sure children with disabilities aren’t left behind during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why innovation is urgently needed to reach nomadic communities during COVID-19
Kareen Atekem reflects on the challenges and opportunities in reaching Cameroon’s nomadic populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Making research count: introducing the new uptake and learning team
Sightsavers’ new research uptake and learning advisors share their efforts to make sure our research makes a real difference to the lives of people across the world.
World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day: highlights from around the world
On 30 January, Sightsavers joined in celebrations for the first ever World NTD Day around the world.
Caring for patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo may have the highest burdens of neglected tropical diseases, but people on the ground are working to protect communities.
Including people with disabilities in African political life
Our research shows that a lack of education and financial resources, social stigma and inaccessible physical infrastructure mean fewer people with disabilities are participating in politics in Africa.
We save sight in 30 countries worldwide
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