The Issue
The problem addressed by the project is the continued exposure of communities in Goma and Bukavu to explosive ordnance and explosive remnants of war, aggravated by the resumption of clashes in eastern DR Congo. Unexploded ordnance and other explosive remnants of war persist in inhabited areas, including urban settings, creating a constant risk of accidents, injuries and deaths.
The situation is compounded by limited information and awareness of safe behaviours when facing these hazards, particularly affecting children and internally displaced persons, who are often new to the neighbourhoods and less familiar with the threats. Insecurity also limits access to humanitarian services, reducing the reach of prevention activities and complicating continuity of response. Finally, existing community mechanisms have weakened following the suspension of several major funding sources, while coordination among mine action actors remains insufficient, resulting in delayed alerts and a less effective response. As a result, communities remain vulnerable to incidents that could be prevented through adapted risk education and a functional alert and coordination system.
The Project
The project will implement an emergency response in Goma and Bukavu to reduce accidents linked to explosive ordnance and explosive remnants of war and better protect exposed communities.
First, Explosive Ordnance Risk Education sessions in neighbourhoods and schools will be conducted, using simple messages adapted to children, displaced persons and other vulnerable groups. The project will also disseminate prevention information through accessible channels, including posters, radio programmes and phone messages. Second, the project strengthen local capacities by training 40 community leaders and focal points so that they can relay safety messages, identify risk areas and refer reported cases. Finally, a community-based incident alert and reporting mechanism will be established, with regular coordination with local authorities and relevant humanitarian actors, so that any incident or hazard is reported rapidly and addressed in an organised manner. These combined actions will improve safe behaviours, accelerate reporting and contribute to reducing incidents in the targeted areas.
The Change
The project will change the situation by reducing daily exposure to hazards and enabling communities in Goma and Bukavu to avoid, rapidly report and manage risks linked to explosive ordnance and explosive remnants of war.
In the short term, residents, particularly children and displaced persons, will have a better understanding of dangerous objects and safe behaviours: do not touch, move away and alert others. Trained community leaders will become permanent prevention focal points. At the same time, a community alert mechanism will enable incidents and discoveries of suspicious objects to be reported within less than 24 hours, improving coordination with local authorities and relevant humanitarian actors.
The expected results from the project include reachin 81,561 people with awareness-raising, 40 active leaders, establishment of an operational alert system in each city, and a reduction in incidents in the intervention areas. Case study: In Kibumba, Rosette Tchimbaye Denise, aged 40 and displaced by violence, was unaware of the risks associated with explosive ordnance. After taking part in a community session, she learned to recognise warning signs and safe behaviours. A few weeks later, her son saw a metallic object near a heavily used path. The family immediately moved away and alerted a community leader. The information was transmitted the same day, the area was secured and an accident was avoided. This experience illustrates how risk education and community alerts can save lives.
Results
At mid-term, the project has strengthened access to essential information on risks linked to explosive ordnance and explosive remnants of war in Goma and Bukavu. Activities have already reached 82,745 people (6,189 men, 7,919 women, 34,350 girls and 34,287 boys) through 1,140 Explosive Ordnance Risk Education sessions. In parallel, 214 non-technical surveys have been conducted and 2,577 explosive ordnance items have been identified and marked, contributing to reduced exposure in frequently used areas. The community alert mechanism is operational and accelerates the reporting of suspicious objects, while improving coordination with the authorities and relevant humanitarian actors.
Success story from the project: In Katoyi, Goma, trained pupils reported a suspicious object near the back of their school building. The area was avoided and the alert was transmitted, reducing the risk of an accident.
Partner
The national implementing partner is ADIC (Association for Integrated Development in Congo), responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the project in Goma and Bukavu. ADIC mobilises and trains community leaders, organises risk education sessions, produces and disseminates communication materials, and manages, monitors and reports on activities.
From a technical and coordination perspective, ADIC works in collaboration with local authorities (neighbourhood administrations/chiefs), civil protection services, and humanitarian actors specialised in Humanitarian Mine Action through regular coordination meetings. These partnerships help align prevention messages, ensure rapid reporting of incidents or suspicious objects, and facilitate a coordinated response adapted to the security context.
About the project
- Full title: Emergency project to reduce incidents linked to explosive ordnance and explosive remnants of war in Goma and Bukavu.
- Timeline: 15/03/2025 to 30/06/2026
- Partners: ADIC (Association for Integrated Development in Congo) – national implementing partner
- DCA theme: Save Lives
- Expected number of people reached: 81,561 people
- Donor(s): DANIDA
- Amount: DKK 5,000,000
