The challenges in the DRC
Families returning home following conflict in the DRC face enormous difficulties. Years of displacement have left communities without shelter, food or access to clean water. Education and health services have been disrupted, and many people are struggling to recover from trauma. For countless families, coming home does not feel like a return – it feels like starting from scratch. And in some areas, the conflict continues.
'The needs are still enormous,' Poppy says. 'But thanks to the support from Scotland, we've been able to bring practical help where it matters most.'
Supporting the local church to rebuild lives
With the funding from the Scottish Government's Humanitarian Emergency Fund, Tearfund has been able to equip its local church partner to respond.
This has meant getting essentials into people's hands quickly – such as cash transfers so families can buy food and restart their businesses. Priority has been given to the most vulnerable, including households headed by women or children, older people and those with pregnant mothers or people with disabilities.
It's also meant communities themselves taking the lead in keeping people safe – with trained local committees raising awareness of risks, sharing protection messages and helping survivors of violence access support.
Women and girls have also received dignity kits, restoring hygiene and self-worth in the midst of displacement and overcrowded living conditions.
So the church is not only delivering aid – it is also walking alongside communities, offering encouragement and support.
'This funding doesn't just help people survive – it helps them rebuild their dignity, safety and hope,' Poppy says. 'We're seeing families who came back to nothing now beginning to rebuild their lives. We can see people sending their children to school once again, starting small businesses to provide food for their families, and communities coming together to restore what was lost. These are the real, day-to-day changes that make such a difference to people's lives in the aftermath of such significant disruption and trauma.'
Stories of transformation
The impact is most visible in people's stories. One of them is Agnes, who lives in Malehe. Like so many in her community, she has faced the devastation of conflict and displacement, and struggled to provide for her family and rebuild her life.
But thanks to this emergency funding, Agnes is beginning to see hope return.
She says, 'I am very thankful for this support. I bought uniforms for my children and notebooks and pens so they can learn. With the rest I bought a bag of charcoal that I sell in small piles to my neighbours. The money I earn from my business will be used to buy food for my children.'
Another woman in Malehe who has found vital support is Francoise. She shares: 'We were starving before this but God has used Tearfund to reach us. We are using this money to buy food so that our children don't have to suffer from malnutrition.'
