Democratic Republic of Congo
Decades of armed conflict, economic unrest and public health crises have left nearly 20 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in need of humanitarian assistance. More than 5 million people are internally displaced and there is widespread sexual violence against women and girls. Ipas DRC, in partnership with community-based organizations, is working to ensure that reproductive health care—including abortion and contraception—is available to women and girls affected by these crises.
Photography by Ley Uwera for Ipas
It’s often said that the provision of abortion in crisis settings is not logistically possible or effective, but that is not the case, says Dr. Jean-Claude Mulunda, director of Ipas DRC. “When the right information and services are made available, women and girls in such settings can absolutely have safe abortion care.”

Ipas gratefully acknowledges the support of Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development in the collection of these stories.
Every crisis is different. Our varied solutions recognize that.
Through a variety of different programs and approaches, we’re proving that reproductive health care can be made accessible during an acute crisis and in the years that follow.

Bangladesh
Training health workers in Rohingya refugee camps

Bolivia
Providing health information and care to Venezuelan migrants

Ethiopia
Partnering with community groups and health workers during civil war

Kenya
Partnering with refugees to protect against COVID and ensure health-care access

Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia
Coordinating a response after cyclones and flooding