DistantNews
Support us
🇨🇩 DR Congo /Disasters & Emergencies

Kinshasa: UNFPA and SOFLECCO provide dignity kits to displaced women in Kinkole

From Radio Okapi · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Over 600 displaced women and girls in Kinshasa received dignity kits.
  • The kits, distributed by SOFLECCO with UNFPA support, aim to alleviate extreme poverty.
  • A campaign also educated women on preventing exploitation and abuse amid dire living conditions.

More than 600 displaced women and girls in Kinshasa received essential dignity kits on Thursday, July 16, 2026. The aid, provided by the NGO Solidarité des femmes sur le fleuve Congo (SOFLECCO) and supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), targets the extreme hardship faced by these households. They have been living in a transit site since February 2026.

Each kit contains a bucket, soap, a wrap, and other necessities. While the assistance offers immediate relief, beneficiaries highlight the immense ongoing needs. "May God bless this gesture! However, we face many difficulties here," shared Amina, 23. "If possible, we would also like access to drinking water, kitchen utensils, and even some financial aid to support our households, as we struggle to feed ourselves."

May God bless this gesture! However, we face many difficulties here. If possible, we would also like access to drinking water, kitchen utensils, and even some financial aid to support our households, as we struggle to feed ourselves.

— AminaA 23-year-old beneficiary describing the dire living conditions and needs of the displaced women.

Alongside the material aid, an information campaign aimed to equip women with knowledge about the risks of exploitation and assault. Becky Bwasa, head of SOFLECCO, stated that 300 women, including nursing mothers and pregnant women, along with 100 young girls, were reached by the awareness efforts. The distribution of kits was expanded due to the overwhelming need.

The humanitarian crisis in Kinkole remains severe, with over 6,000 households living in critical conditions at the transit site for over five months since their relocation from Pakadjuma. The lack of proper sanitation, clean water, and sufficient food raises concerns about potential epidemics and further health crises if authorities do not implement a sustainable development plan soon.

300 women have been sensitized, including 100 nursing mothers, 100 pregnant women, and 100 young girls. But regarding the distribution of kits, we tried to expand given that the need was enormous.

— Becky BwasaThe head of SOFLECCO detailing the reach of the awareness campaign and the expanded distribution of dignity kits.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog