Displaced women benefit from new bakery in DRC's Plateau de Batéké

The Congolese government has inaugurated a bakery to support displaced women in the Democratic Republic of Congo who were affected by the Mobondo militia crisis. The facility, located in the Plateau de Batéké in Kinshasa, has a production capacity of over 20 bags of 50 kg per day.

This initiative, which received logistical and financial support from Japan in collaboration with the UN Joint Human Rights Office and the NGO AFLA, aims to foster socio-economic autonomy among the women. The first production will be distributed free of charge to the women who are victims of the Mobondo militia, providing them with a starting capital for their businesses.

Minister of Human Rights Samuel Mbemba advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the bakery, encouraging them to transition from being victims to economic actors. He highlighted the strong bilateral cooperation between the DRC and Japan, as well as the partnership with the UN. Mbemba noted that many victims of the Mobondo crisis in Maï-Ndombe, Kwango, Kwilu, and the Plateau de Batéké require projects that combine protection, assistance, capacity building, and sustainable solutions.

The project underscores the need for comprehensive support for victims of conflict, integrating economic empowerment with protection and psychosocial assistance. The establishment of the bakery is seen as a crucial step towards rebuilding lives and fostering resilience within the affected communities.