Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

Due to continuing violence, almost 1 million Congolese are living in IDP camps in North Kivu, in both spontaneous and official refugee camps. Violent conflict is abundant in these camps. CPGRBC has been focusing on the psychosocial needs of IDPs and working to make the camps more peaceful.

CPGRBC started working in IDP camps in 2007 and conducted 25 peace workshops as well as listening sessions, leading to the creation of camp peace committees before the camps closed in 2009. Since camps were re-opened in 2012, CPGRBC has been launching more programming, including trauma healing and mediation training.

Rape Survivors

In 2009, CPGRBC started focusing on work with rape survivors to cope with their trauma as well as learn income generating skills. Rape survivors are cast out by their husbands and their families, so teaching skills such as sewing, basket weaving, and crocheting along with giving them micro loans helps these women to feed their families.

Conflict-Affected Women

The program for rape survivors was expanded to help a broader range of women.  Many women including widows and  wives of soldiers have become the heads of their households during wartime. CPGRBC helps teach these women job skills, holds literacy classes, and organizes support groups in addition to conflict resolution and trauma healing trainings.