Mwenga Territory, South Kivu, DRC – June 2026
As insecurity continues to intensify across several areas of Mwenga Territory in South Kivu, Humanitarian Action for Africa (HAA), in partnership with the Association des Femmes pour la Promotion et le Développement Endogène (AFPDE), is implementing an anticipatory action initiative aimed at reducing the humanitarian impacts of a potential escalation of armed conflict.
The intervention is based on a comprehensive analysis of the evolving security and humanitarian situation in the area. Information collected from the field highlighted a high risk of further population displacement and a deterioration of living conditions for communities already affected by recurring violence.
Rather than waiting for the situation to develop into a major humanitarian crisis, HAA has chosen to act early, enabling vulnerable households to better cope with shocks and protect their livelihoods before conditions worsen.
Supported by £200,000 in funding from Start Network, the intervention is reaching nearly 7,000 people exposed to the effects of conflict. Among them are 511 displaced households, 370 households identified as being at high risk of displacement, and 119 host families supporting displaced populations. The initiative also targets more than 2,107 children and 105 persons with disabilities, who are often among the most vulnerable during humanitarian emergencies.
To address the most urgent needs of affected communities, cash transfers of USD 90 per household are being provided to targeted families. This assistance enables households to meet their essential needs while preserving their dignity and their ability to make decisions according to their own priorities.
At the same time, HAA is strengthening the preparedness of health facilities in Kasika, Kilungutwe, and Mwenga through the provision of essential medicines. This support is intended to enhance the capacity of local health services to respond to increased medical needs that may arise as a result of displacement and insecurity.
The intervention also includes the distribution of hygiene kits to 1,000 vulnerable households. This activity aims to improve hygiene conditions and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks among populations affected by conflict and population movements.
Recognizing the importance of community engagement in humanitarian response, HAA has trained 20 community focal points to collect feedback, concerns, and complaints from beneficiaries. This mechanism helps strengthen accountability and ensures that the assistance provided remains responsive to the needs and priorities of affected communities.
This initiative demonstrates the growing relevance of anticipatory action in conflict settings. By combining risk analysis, humanitarian data, and local knowledge, humanitarian actors can intervene before the impacts of a crisis become overwhelming.
Through this intervention, Humanitarian Action for Africa reaffirms its commitment to delivering humanitarian assistance that is proactive, effective, and community-centered. By anticipating the impacts of conflict, the organization is helping to strengthen the resilience of communities in Mwenga and reduce human suffering before it escalates into a larger emergency.
At a time when humanitarian crises are becoming increasingly complex and recurrent, this approach demonstrates that protecting vulnerable populations is not only about responding to emergencies, but also about acting before they occur.
