Overview:

The JP seeks to ensure the durable reintegration of the population in host communities in Lubero and Beni (north-est) through the prevention and management of inter and intra community conflicts, economic revitalization and increase in basic social services delivery. It is linked to national and provincial level priorities and to the STAREC (Stabilization and Reconstruction Strategy for Eastern DRC). Given the security situation all activities were undertaken in Beni territory. All the conflict prevention and mitigation mechanisms have been set up and contribute to regional stabilization through renewed dialogue and relationships between communities. Some achievements include the increased participation of women in decision making through the establishment of the various conflict prevention and management committees at community level and awareness raising activities as well as a good network of community based radios reaching 600,000 listeners.

In addition, community-based economic revitalization mechanisms essentially through the Community Multifunctional Centers (CCP), support to farmers' organizations and the construction of markets have contributed to improve economic potential of the region and the income of beneficiaries. As an example, the rehabilitation of the Lulambo market has increased the affluence from 2,000 to 10,000 people, and the trading in the market has sharply increased. Further, 20,000 people benefitted from improved health and sanitation facilities and improvements in the health and hygiene conditions of the target population.

Outcome 1:

Inter and intra community conflicts are reduced and solved peacefully.

Outcome achievements:

3 Community Protection Committees created with 3 to 8 community members each in order to channel human rights abuse to the proper authorities and contribute to disseminating the knowledge on minimizing these risks. 13 sensibilization campaigns on girls and women’s rights contributed to awareness raising. 27 community protection focal points were trained and formal links to external service providers created. Improved community relation with the security forces (national police, military) through sensibilization campaigns. Children were included through network of 11 children fora that were developed with 60 children (30 girls and 30 boys) from participating communities (PEAR Plus protection project) to raise awareness within the communities on the situation of children and allows for identification of early marriages and cases of sexual violence. 3 Community protection plans were established by 20 women and 11 children fora were created. The establishment of confidential channels in cases of HR violations including sexual abuse has facilitated improved mechanisms for reporting and addressing these abuses. Finally the services provided to the victims of violence have been improved. 76 radio shows were aired to some 600,000 listeners. 14 listening groups at community level were formed (420 people, 50% women) and exchange information after the radio educational shows.

Outcome 2:

Returned, relocated and host communities have opportunities for economic reintegration.

Outcome achievements:

730 head of vulnerable families of the CCPs have developed income generating activities; 358 people (258 women) developed savings activities through 20 MUSO (savings and loan association) in the CCPs, with $ 1875 savings and US$ 1151 credit given to 113 beneficiaries. 23 people (of which 16 women) trained in techniques of support to traumatized victims of abuse, and 40 persons have received psycho-social support with the CCPs. CCP management committees were established and 5 members of each CCP trained with management skills and income generating skills. The rehabilitation of the Lulambo market has increased the effluence from 2,000 to 10,000 people, and the trading in the market has sharply increased. Another two markets constructed in Mapemba and Nobili should yield similar results. Latrine construction around the markets has improved hygiene as well as the water points in Mapemba and Nobili markets. In total some 13,000 people can benefit from enhanced sanitation and environmental conditions in the three markets. The isolation and difficult access made the rehabilitation and construction limited to 3 markets, instead of the 5 initially planned. 20 Farmers’ organizations were supported by FAO for a total of 3,124 households and technical training on farming techniques and nutritional information was provided, and they obtained free land to cultivate, as well as seeds and tools from the project. Agricultural activities focused on basic crops and vegetable production. Two veterinary communal services were established.  Finally 19 km of road were rehabilitated in order to facilitate transportation and access to commercial centers, and 60 bicycles were given (3 per farmer organization).

Outcome 3:

Basic social services have increased services to returning and host populations.

Outcome achievements:

Construction of Health posts in Mbutaba, Ndama; maternity and nutritional center in Kamango, maternity in Kaninama and Vido heath posts; 3 health centers provided with reliable cold chain; training in preventive and curative activities and nutritional survey undertaken in the four health areas of the region. 62 sources and 6 sources with tankers have been built, 300 community based agents and 329 members of the hygiene and sanitation committees trained. Construction and rehabilitation of latrines in the health centers and in 10 schools. 3,531 family latrines built and 4,200 impregnated mosquito nets distributed. 85% coverage in the three health areas’ vaccination program. In the education sector, 42 school classes were built/rehabilitated as well as 3 centers. Training of trainers (TOT) to 15 teachers and 2,800 student kits distributed. 31 school management committees created, and two awareness campaigns on girl’s education undertaken. The project also supported civil society organizations’ request to waive elementary school fees and against negative practices infringing on the right to education (40 Community-based organizations – CBOs).

Best practices:

• The joint planning strategy of the 3 JP implementing agencies allowed an integrated response to the communities’ needs. Governance mechanisms set up (National committee, Project Steering Committee, etc.) have ensured effective participation of the national counterpart, and their technical skills have been further strengthened through the participation in the project.
• The creation of CCP has allowed women who suffered from sexual violence to regain their dignity and to receive psychosocial support and develop income-generating activities.
• The synergy created around the savings and loans association in Bulembo has been promoted by the community radio that airs messages to support this process.
• Community radio is an excellent manner to bring about change in rural communities.
• The increase of girl’s school enrollment can be seen after the sensibilization campaigns and community debates on the importance of girl education given on community radio shows.
• CLPD (Local committees to prevent conflict) have been installed in 18 sites and allowed local conflict resolution through encouraging populations to settle their disputes locally in a participatory framework.

Lessons learned:

• The complementarities between activities undertaken in the same geographical contribute to consolidating the results, the impact and the visibility of the JP.
• Built on what is there to ensure reliability and efficiency of the results (communities are able now to identifying themselves their challenge and bottlenecks to their socio-economic promotion and know how to act in order to address their limitations.
• The incorporation of gender as a traversal issue has allowed obtaining commitment from the men to reinforce family dialogue where the place of girls, boys and mothers are enhanced.
• The choice of isolated areas of intervention is relevant as regards to the needs of the population but creates difficulties for implementation of monitoring of activities.

More details can be found in the final project report: http://mptf.undp.org/document/download/11137