Democratic Republic of the Congo

Communities in the eastern DRC continue to face serious threats from armed groups, intercommunal violence, and widespread sexual and gender-based violence. With over 120 militias active in the region, millions of people have been displaced—both within the country and across borders. 

As part of a phased withdrawal, the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) is reducing its presence. Responsibility for protecting civilians is shifting to the Congolese government and national institutions. This moment of transition brings both risk and opportunity for local communities. 

NP’s work in the DRC

Our work focuses on supporting local communities to prevent violence, reduce harm, and build safer environments through nonviolent means: 

• Train community members in civilian protection and nonviolent conflict prevention;
• Support locally-led protection and mediation efforts between communities and armed actors; and
• Strengthen communication between civilians and security forces to improve safety and trust.

We’re also working in Burundi alongside Quaker Peace Network to support Congolese refugees and host communities with community-based protection strategies. 

The future of NP's work in the DRC

NP has long advocated for the effectiveness of UCP in transitional settings. In the DRC, our work goes beyond addressing immediate threats—we aim to shift the way protection is understood, moving away from armed responses toward community-based, nonviolent strategies. 

As local protection teams begin their work, NP will support them to learn from each other, share effective practices, and build strong networks. We’ll also help connect these teams to national and international decision-makers. With direct experience on the ground and strong data to back it up, these teams will be able to demonstrate how UCP can make a lasting difference—especially as the UN transitions out. 

Read More

→ DRC publications

→ DRC blogs & press clips