Coordination

In 2022, UNFPA led and coordinated the Multisectoral Permanent Technical Committee on Family Planning (CTMP). This committee carries out, among other activities, advocacy to mobilize ressources for family planning.

Support for the development of the national family planning strategic plan

UNFPA provided technical and financial support to the National Reproductive Health Program (PNSR) and the CTMP for the development of the national FP strategic plan covering the period 2021-2025

Mobilizing additional domestic resources

UNFPA contributed to advocacy efforts that led the government to disburse $2,097,680 for modern contraceptive procurement. As part of FP2030, the Government of DRC made a commitment to allocate $5,000,000 per year for modern contraceptive procurement. In addition, under the leadership of UNFPA and as part of the UNFPA Supplies partnership, the government signed the COMPACT which is an agreement to contribute to the financing of contraceptives for the next 5 years.

Provision of quality family planning services

UNFPA provided technical and financial support for the provision of quality family planning services through the organization of free FP service campaigns using, fixed and mobile strategies, and the distribution of community-based contraceptives targeting vulnerable and marginalized populations (adolescents, people living with disabilities, etc.)

Supply chain management and last mile assurance (LMA)

UNFPA provided the country with over US$6 million in modern contraceptives and maternal health commodities and supplied all 26 provinces and major NGOs. In addition, UNFPA procured contraceptives and other reproductive health medicines for the government. In the humanitarian context, UNFPA procured emergency reproductive health (RH) kits worth $1,039,862 to supply provinces experiencing natural disasters and armed conflicts.

Coordination and advocacy

• The UNFPA DRC Country Office chaired the H6 group of UN agencies working to reduce maternal deaths (UNFPA, World Bank, WHO, UNAIDS, UNWomen, UNICEF, ILO, WFP). This group drafted a strategic document on the United Nations agencies common position on the accompaniement of the Government of the DRC in the process of implementing universal health coverage;
• 127 partners, members of the sexual and reproductive health working group within the health cluster were trained on the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for sexual and reproductive health in humanitarian crises;
• The program to retrain nurses as midwives is operational in 6 ISTMs , namely Kinshasa, Kananga, Lodja, Bukavu, Tshikapa and Kindu.

Obstetric fistula and gynecological morbidities

• 3 teams of providers (doctors, nurses and anesthetists) were trained to manage simple cases of obstetric fistula in routine mode;
• At the national level, 19 of the country’s 26 provinces now have teams capable of performing obstetric fistula surgery. It is expected that by the end of the 5th program cycle all the 26 provinces of the country will have teams capable of surgically repairing simple cases of obstetric fistula.

Surveillance of maternal and perinatal deaths

The capacities of six provincial committees were strengthened in maternal and prenatal deaths surveillance and response.

Leadership and coordination

• UNFPA continued its leadership in the fight against GBV/SEA/SH through the coordination of the GBV Sub-Cluster and the Inter-Agency Working Group on SEA;
• A plan of action for traditional leaders for the prevention and response to GBV was developed in the provinces of Grand Kasaï;
• Joint advocacy for the institutionalization of one-stop services for survivors of GBV, including the development of orientation tools for one-stop services adapted to the DRC context;
• Development of a strategy on cash transfer, including building the capacity of humanitarian actors to use various cash modalities to help vulnerable communities access a variety of commodities.

Capacity Building

• 886 health care providers were trained on the clinical management of rape;
• 665 social workers, and psychosocial service providers were trained on GBV case management.

GBV/SEA prevention

• 92,022 survivors received medical care, including access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) within 72 hours
• 95,347 survivors received psychosocial care and support from trained social workers.

Legal support

8,962 survivors received legal support, including support with important information about laws, legal information, and how to access legal services.

Socio-economic support

UNFPA contributed to the improvement of the socio-economic situation of 9,228 GBV survivors and vulnerable women by providing cash assistance and supporting start-up of income-generating activities.

Data for protection, safety and accountability

• UNFPA has supported the development of a database to collect allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian hubs in real time.
• A national GBV database was developed to collect data on GBV, monitor the management of GBV cases and collect feedback from clients.