Healthy and Happy: children's food security in RDC

Dear Friends,

thanks to your generous support, we have successfully completed the first year of our child malnutrition program in Sambwa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Over the past twelve months, 60 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition have received life-saving treatment through three consecutive cycles of care. The results have been extremely encouraging: 51 children recovered enough to move from intensive treatment to the stabilization phase, while the remaining children continued receiving specialized care until their condition improved. Most importantly, no deaths were recorded among the children enrolled in the program.

Beyond medical care, the project has strengthened the local health system by training healthcare workers and community volunteers in the early detection and treatment of malnutrition. Mothers also took part in practical nutrition sessions, learning how to prepare healthy meals using locally available ingredients, helping prevent future cases of malnutrition.

Building on these achievements, the second year of the project began in May 2026 with an important milestone: thanks to increased resources, the program can now support 40 children every four months—double the number treated during the pilot phase.

In May, staff from Aleimar and AMKA travelled to Sambwa to monitor the project alongside our local partner, the Augustinian Sisters, and the medical team. During May and June, continuous practical training sessions were carried out for healthcare workers and community volunteers to further strengthen local capacity.

During the first community screening of this new phase, 70 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition were identified. Although the project has doubled its capacity, the number of children needing urgent treatment is even higher.

This is, on one hand, a sign that the project has become deeply rooted in the community and that families trust the local medical staff enough to seek help. On the other hand, it is a worrying reminder that child malnutrition remains a growing emergency in this part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Your support has already given dozens of children a second chance at life. Today, more children are waiting for that same opportunity.

With your continued generosity, we can reach even more children before it is too late. Thank you for standing with us and with the families of Sambwa!