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ON THE GROUND
Women for Women International - Restoring Hope
Women for Women International helps rebuild the lives of women in war-torn regions through
financial and emotional support, job skills training, rights education, access to capital, and
assistance for small business development. This Crisis in the Congo page includes links to personal
stories of survival, a report on the status of women in the Congo, a fact sheet on the Congo, and
updates on programs run by the organization.
International Rescue Committee - The IRC in Democratic Republic of Congo
This global network of first responders, humanitarian relief workers, healthcare providers,
educators, community leaders, activists, and volunteers provides access to safety, sanctuary, and
sustainable change for people whose lives have been shattered by violence and oppression. The
website includes links to reports on sexual violence in the Congo, descriptions of the group's
humanitarian aid programs, and video and photographic reports from the region.
Human Rights Watch - Congo
This NGO aims to protect the human rights of people around the world by supporting efforts to
prevent discrimination, uphold political freedoms, investigate and expose human rights violations.
The website includes links to briefings and papers on war crimes and human rights violations, as
well as a multimedia presentation on the Katanga province known as the Triangle of Death. For more information, read a report entitled Triangle of Death.
Panzi Hospital, Bukavu
Under the guidance of Dr. Denis Mukwege, the General Referral Hospital of Panzi offers treatment to
the victims of sexual violence from all over the Congo. The website includes background information
on medical treatment, psychological care, socio-economic assistance, and daycare for children of
survivors provided by the hospital.
United Nations: Mission in the Congo (MONUC)
Established by the United Nations Security Council to facilitate the implementation of the Lusaka
Accord signed in 1999, MONUC is authorized by the UN to 'protect civilians under imminent threat of
physical violence and contribute to the improvement of the security conditions.' In 2007, the UN
also created UN Action a joint initiative of 12 UN entities with the goal of preventing sexual violence
and responding effectively to the needs of survivors. For more information, visit Stop Rape Now.
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
Congo Global Action Coalition
This advocacy group is an alliance of humanitarian, human rights, environmental, and faith-based
organizations, students, members of the Congolese Diaspora, and other grassroots movements.
Coalition members are divided into working groups that study and implement action plans related to
three areas: saving lives, keeping people safe, and ending economic exploitation.
Friends of the Congo
Friends of Congo works with the 'Association of Widows' located in the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In existence since 1975, the Association aims to help widows and victims of sexual violence by providing training, skills development, cultural education, health-care, child-care and numerous other services for the women, children and the communities from which they come.
The ENOUGH Project - Congo
Founded by John Prendergast - former Director of African Affairs at the National Security Council,
this non-profit aims to stop and prevent genocide and mass atrocities by promoting peace,
providing protection, and punishing the perpetrators. The ENOUGH Project uses field and policy
analysis and advocacy to empower an activist movement for change. The Congo page includes a
primer on the roots of the crisis as well as strategy papers and articles.
Campus Progress
Part of the Center for American Progress - a nonpartisan progressive think tank, this non-profit
empowers young leaders to develop fresh ideas and communicate in new ways. The website
includes links to grassroots issue campaign briefs, listings of public events, and student
publications.
Genocide Intervention Network
Created by students at Swarthmore College in the fall of 2004, the Genocide Intervention Network
allows average Americans to have a direct impact on the ground by helping to fund civilian
protection.
STAND
This student-led division of the Genocide Intervention Network works to provide student groups with
informational, educational and organizing resources.
LEGISLATION
International Violence Against Women Act - S.2279
Recently introduced by Senators Joseph Biden and Richard Lugar, this bill aims to make violence
against women a central priority for U.S. foreign assistance programs. The legislation authorizes $1
billion to be spent over five years for foreign assistance programs that prevent violence against
women; support survivor services, health programs, and capacity building; and promote legal
accountability. To learn more, read this report from Amnesty International.
Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of 2006
Introduced by Senators Obama, Brownback, Durbin, and DeWine and signed into law by President
Bush in December 2006, this act authorized a 25 percent increase in U.S. assistance for the
Democratic Republic of the Congo; established fifteen new policy objectives; called for the
appointment of a U.S. special envoy to help end the conflict in the Eastern Congo; and urged the
Administration to strengthen U.N. peacekeeping forces in the Congo. The act also mandated the
non-partisan GAO (Government Accountability Office) to review U.S. programs in the Congo. Download the full
report which was recently released March 6th, 2008.
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