Responding Inclusively to Floods in Kalemie/DRC

Acting for an Inclusive Flood Response

Project Summary

Since the end of 2023, the city of Kalemie, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has been hit by severe flooding, causing devastating consequences—especially for people with disabilities. At least 90 vulnerable households have lost their homes, leaving them homeless, without resources, and without access to basic services.

In response to this humanitarian emergency, our project aims to provide an inclusive response, focusing on accessibility, protection, economic reintegration, and the active participation of people with disabilities.

Context and Challenges

Flooding has had particularly harsh impacts on persons with disabilities:

• Limited accessibility: Destroyed infrastructure makes it hard to access water, healthcare, and food.
• Increased protection risks: Emergency shelters are often not adapted to specific needs, exposing people to abuse, neglect, and violence.
• Loss of livelihoods and essential equipment: Many have lost items such as wheelchairs or crutches, making it nearly impossible to resume economic activity.
• Social exclusion: Their voices are often left out of decision-making processes.

Project Objectives

1. Improved Accessibility:

• Rehabilitate roads and public spaces to ensure safe and accessible movement.
• Establish accessible water and healthcare points for all.

2. Strengthened Protection and Safety:

• Build emergency shelters adapted to the needs of persons with disabilities.
• Train rescue teams on disability inclusion and specific needs in emergencies.

3. Economic and Social Support:

• Distribute essential equipment (wheelchairs, crutches, mattresses, etc.).
• Support economic recovery through microcredit and vocational training.

4. Inclusion and Participation:

• Create mechanisms to involve beneficiaries in planning and decision-making.
• Raise community awareness on the rights of people with disabilities.

Expected Outcomes

• 90 households resettled in safe and dignified living conditions.
• Inclusive infrastructure enabling long-term accessibility.
• Economic empowerment through sustainable income-generating initiatives.
• Stronger community bonds, promoting social cohesion and solidarity.

Long-Term Vision

This project goes beyond emergency response. It aims to build a foundation for inclusive resilience. By creating a response that is accessible to everyone, we are contributing to a society where every individual—regardless of ability—can participate and thrive.

Partnership with GlobalGiving

Thanks to our partnership with GlobalGiving, a trusted global crowdfunding platform, we are confident that we will reach our project budget goal of $45,000.
This collaboration helps us reach a global audience of supporters, ensuring transparency, impact, and sustainability in how funds are used.

To date, no funding has been collected yet, but we remain confident that with your help, we will achieve our goal and uplift those who are most vulnerable.

Call to Action

We are making an urgent appeal to donors, partners, and all people of goodwill:

- Join us in this essential mission.
-Every donation, no matter the amount, makes a difference.
-Together, we can build a more inclusive, humane, and resilient response.

Acknowledgments

We sincerely thank everyone who has contributed so far, and all those who plan to do so.
Your solidarity is the light of hope for families left behind by this crisis.

Conclusion

This project is more than a humanitarian intervention—it is a collective commitment to dignity, inclusion, and equality.
With your support, and with the help of GlobalGiving, we will make a real difference.