Emergency Assistance for Elder People-in-the-DRC

Emergency Assistance for Older People in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Project Progress Report

Organization: OGDH (Organization for Governance, Democracy and Human Rights)

Project Budget: US$45,000

Funds Raised: US$101

Introduction

Behind every humanitarian crisis lies a generation that is too often forgotten.

In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, thousands of older women and men are living through conflict, displacement and poverty with almost no support. While humanitarian assistance generally focuses on children and women of reproductive age, elderly people frequently remain invisible despite facing some of the greatest risks.

Many have lost their homes. Others have lost family members who once cared for them. Some are unable to walk long distances to reach humanitarian assistance. Others suffer from chronic illnesses without access to medication.

Recognizing this urgent reality, OGDH launched the project Emergency Assistance for Older People in the DRC, an initiative dedicated to restoring dignity, safety and hope to vulnerable older people affected by conflict.

Although the project officially begins in November 2025, important preparatory activities have already started thanks to the generosity of the first donors through GlobalGiving.

Today we are pleased to share the first progress update.

Humanitarian Context

The humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo continues to deteriorate as conflict forces thousands of families to flee their homes.

Among displaced populations, older people remain one of the least visible and least supported groups.

Many elderly women and men:

• are living alone;
• have limited mobility;
• suffer from untreated chronic diseases;
• cannot reach food distribution sites;
• lack access to safe shelter;
• experience loneliness, trauma and neglect.

Without targeted assistance, these individuals face increased risks of malnutrition, preventable illness, exploitation and premature death.

This project was designed specifically to address those unmet humanitarian needs.

Project Goal

The project seeks to improve the survival, dignity and wellbeing of older people affected by conflict in eastern DRC through age-sensitive humanitarian assistance.

The intervention will provide:

• Emergency cash assistance
• Food support
• Essential medical care
• Shelter assistance
• Individual protection
• Community awareness on the rights of older people

Beyond emergency relief, the project also seeks to encourage humanitarian actors to better include older people in future emergency responses.

Current Progress

Although implementation officially begins in November 2025, the project has successfully entered its preparation phase.

This early progress has only been possible thanks to the confidence shown by the project's first supporters.

To date, US$101 has been raised through GlobalGiving.

While modest compared to the overall funding target, these first donations have already produced meaningful results by allowing the project team to begin essential groundwork.

Activities Completed

The initial contributions have enabled OGDH to carry out several key preparatory activities.

These include:

Field Data Collection

Project staff conducted field visits to identify vulnerable older people living in conflict-affected communities.

These visits helped better understand priority needs while establishing direct relationships with local leaders and community representatives.

Individual Registration Forms

The team designed and prepared individual beneficiary registration forms.

These forms will ensure that assistance reaches those most in need while promoting transparency and accountability throughout project implementation.

Planning and Coordination

Preparatory meetings were organized with local stakeholders to coordinate the future intervention.

At the same time, the organization has begun identifying qualified trainers and facilitators who will support awareness activities and community engagement during implementation.

The beneficiary identification process is also currently underway.

How Your Donations Have Been Used

The first US$101 received has been carefully invested in activities that lay the foundation for effective implementation.

These funds supported:

• community field assessments;
• collection of beneficiary data;
• preparation of individual registration forms;
• coordination and planning activities.

Every contribution, regardless of size, is helping move this project one step closer to implementation.

Financial Overview

Item

Amount (USD)

Total Project Budget

45,000

Funds Raised

101

Remaining Funding Need

44,899

Every donation received through GlobalGiving directly contributes to preparing and delivering life-saving assistance for vulnerable older people.

Expected Impact

Once fully funded, the project will support vulnerable older people by providing emergency assistance tailored to their specific needs.

Expected outcomes include:

• improved food security;
• better access to healthcare;
• increased dignity through cash assistance;
• safer temporary shelter;
• strengthened protection for isolated elderly people;
• greater community recognition of the rights and needs of older persons.

The project will also generate valuable data that can help improve future humanitarian programming for older people across eastern DRC.

Next Steps

Between now and November 2025, OGDH will continue preparing for implementation by:

• finalizing beneficiary selection;
• completing community assessments;
• identifying trainers and facilitators;
• strengthening partnerships with local authorities;
• mobilizing additional resources through GlobalGiving.

Once sufficient funding is secured, emergency assistance activities will begin immediately.

Thank You

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to every individual who has chosen to support this project.

Although only US$101 has been raised so far, these first donations have already created momentum and made important preparatory work possible.

We are especially grateful to GlobalGiving for providing a trusted international platform that connects local organizations like ours with compassionate people around the world.

This partnership gives hope—not only to our organization—but also to the older people whose voices are too often unheard.

Together, we believe we can reach our fundraising goal and bring life-saving assistance to those who need it most.

A Message to Our Donors

Every older person has a story.

Many spent their lives raising families, building communities and contributing to society.

Today, many of them are facing conflict alone.

Some sleep without shelter.

Some go days without eating.

Others suffer in silence because they cannot walk to humanitarian distribution sites.

Your support can change that.

A gift of any size helps restore dignity, protect lives and remind an older person that they have not been forgotten.

If you have already donated, thank you for standing with them.

If you are considering making your first gift, today is the moment to act.

Together, we can ensure that growing old in a humanitarian crisis does not mean being left behind.

Every donation brings us one step closer to reaching our US$45,000 goal and launching this vital emergency response.

Thank you for believing that every life—at every age—deserves dignity, protection and hope.