From April 21 to 30, 2026, Paulo Lopes, president of ADRA International, accompanied by Geoffrey Mbwana, Africa Regional Director, and Dibden Chileya, Africa Regional Finance Director, conducted a working visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Over ten days, ADRA reaffirmed its determination to act on two essential fronts: humanitarian aid and development, for the benefit of the most vulnerable communities.
Strengthened Institutional Dialogue to Amplify Humanitarian Impact
To maximize the effectiveness of humanitarian actions, Lopes met with the Humanitarian Coordinator of OCHA, Bruno Lemarquis, as well as several senior Congolese authorities: Her Excellency Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Her Excellency Ève Bazaiba, Minister of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Actions and National Solidarity; and His Excellency Muhindo Nzangi, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.
At the conclusion of these exchanges, Lopes expressed his deep gratitude for the continued support of the Congolese government in implementing ADRA’s projects. He also encouraged stronger mobilization by government ministries and the Presidency to advance advocacy with international donors to maintain and increase humanitarian funding.
These meetings resulted in commitments of support and renewed engagement in advocacy with financial partners. The mission helped consolidate institutional cooperation and opened the way for strengthened support for ADRA’s initiatives. At the Presidency of the Republic, Lopes was received by the Chief Advisor to the Head of State in the College of Planning, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Livestock, who pledged to convey this advocacy directly to the President of the DRC.
TUDIENZELE in Tshikapa: Tangible Outcomes
The mission continued with a field visit to the TUDIENZELE project, funded by the U.S. government and implemented by a consortium led by ADRA. TUDIENZELE aims to sustainably improve food security, nutrition, and the economic well-being of vulnerable households.
In the Kamonia health zone, Lopes observed the progress of a bridge under construction on a rehabilitated section of an agricultural service road linking Kamonia to Muamba. On-site, the mission also highlighted the work of agricultural and fish farming producer organizations, which strengthen production, marketing, and access to resources.
This ambitious program, targeting nearly one million participants, operates on several fronts:
Financial inclusion: creation of 2,000 VSLA groups and deployment of agricultural credit
Productivity: establishment of 875 Farmer Field Schools, provision of quality seeds, and dissemination of resilient agricultural practices
Market access: rehabilitation of 150 km of agricultural roads, construction of markets, and training of entrepreneurs
Nutrition: promotion of good practices through 320 Care Groups
Water and sanitation: construction or rehabilitation of 93 water points and implementation of Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) in 600 villages
ADRA in DRC: 40 Years of Action, 12.5 Million Lives Changed
Present in 120 countries, ADRA has been active in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1984. The organization’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty and vulnerability. Its programs have already benefited 12.5 million people through interventions in health, WASH (water, hygiene, and sanitation), food security and agriculture, financial inclusion, and education.
Beyond these results, ADRA relies on a robust management structure that ensures full transparency for donors and efficient project implementation. Its work spans 11 key provinces: Kinshasa, Kasaï, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tanganyika, Haut-Katanga, Kongo-Central, Équateur, Tshopo, Lualaba, and Tshuapa.
Through this mission, the organization continues to uphold a fundamental commitment to strengthening the dignity of vulnerable people and building sustainable solutions.
A Key Step for the Future of ADRA’s Interventions in DRC
At the end of the mission, Paulo Lopes' visit stands out as a crucial step in assessing the effectiveness of interventions, strengthening coordination, and shaping future directions in the DRC. A strong determination emerges to make field results more visible and sustainable, and to continue working with partners and authorities to build solutions adapted to the real needs of communities.
The original article was published on the ADRA International website.
