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DFID Democratic Republic of Congo
British Embassy, 83 Avenue Roi
Baudouin, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Tel: +243 81 715 0761 | Fax: +243 81 346 4291
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DRC-enquiries@dfid.gov.uk
Map courtesy of the FCO
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Democratic Republic of Congo
Related pages: |
DRC homepage |
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Humanitarian Assistance
HIV/AIDS: ensuring an adequate response
 DRC
is at a critical stage for HIV/AIDS. The overall percentage of population
infected is 4.5%. Conflict in DRC has resulted in vast numbers of displaced
people and refugees, the destruction of health and education services and very
high levels of sexual violence. All these have increased the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Women have been disproportionably affected and are unable to access adequate
reproductive health and HIV information and services, as these generally exist
only in urban areas. The vast distances in DRC and isolation of many areas may
have reduced the spread of the disease but with growing stability, greater
access and increased economic activity it is feared that rates of transmission
could increase.
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HIV/AIDS: facts and figures |
HIV/AIDS prevalence rate |
4.5%, emerging epidemic |
Number of people living with
HIV/AIDS |
2.6m |
Number of AIDS orphans |
1m |
Level of condom use |
20% |
Support in 2007 |
£1.7m |
DFID support in
2007 |
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Considerable resources should be available for both prevention and treatment
of HIV/AIDS in DRC through the Global Fund for AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis.
But DRC is not currently receiving any resources through this mechanism. This
has very serious consequences. It means, for example, that virtually no condoms
are available in the whole of DRC. To ensure an adequate response to HIV/AIDS,
DFID is therefore focussing on getting the Global Fund working in DRC.
 DFID is combining this advocacy approach with funding some activities which
will have an immediate impact. We are funding the NGO Population Services
International to run a behaviour change and condom distribution programme in
Kinshasa and we are funding Christian Aid to help at least 22,000 families
affected by HIV/AIDS.
DFID ensures that all its development work in DRC takes account of how it can
prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS or help reduce with its impact. So, for example,
as our roads rehabilitation increases traffic along DRC’s roads we will ensure
that we provide condoms and raise awareness amongst those using the road about
the spread of the HIV/AIDS.
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