About the project
Since January 2025, the lives of displaced families in Goma, capital of North Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, have been turned upside down. When AFC/M23 authorities ordered the closure of displacement sites, families were forced to return home or seek shelter with host families. Scattered across urban neighborhoods, many suddenly lost access to basic services, including health care and food assistance, that were once available in the camps.
To respond, AVSI launched the project “Treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Children and Community Strengthening: An Integrated Approach for Mothers, Children, and Health Services in the Karisimbi Health Zone, Goma.” Running from June to September 2025 with support from the Italian Episcopal Conference, the initiative strengthens health facilities in the Karisimbi Health Zone of Goma, training health workers, providing therapeutic foods, and promoting preventive nutrition strategies to protect the most vulnerable.
Detecting malnutrition early
Among those leading this fight is Vumilia Mirindi, a community health worker trained by AVSI. She walks door-to-door across Karisimbi, armed with a simple but powerful tool: a colored measuring tape to check children’s mid-upper arm circumference.
“When I visit families, I measure the arms of children under five, If the ribbon shows yellow or red - a sign of malnutrition - I guide parents on what to do, because with proper care, the child could recover.”
Vumila Mirindi, community health worker
Each home visit is not only a screening, but also a chance to discuss nutrition, hygiene, and simple practices that can keep children healthy.
Espoir’s story: from severe acute malnutrition to recovery
It was during one of these visits that Espoir, a 16-month-old boy, was identified as malnourished.
“Since the conflict forced us to move, we have lost everything. Buying food has become nearly impossible,” says Elyse, Espoir’s mother.
At the Mungano health facility, Espoir weighed only 7.3 kg - far below the healthy 11–12 kg for his age. He was vomiting, had no appetite, and was dangerously weak. Doctors confirmed he was suffering from severe acute malnutrition with medical complications. He was admitted to the intensive therapeutic nutrition unit and given ready-to-use therapeutic food.
“When we arrived here, my child was very weak,” Elyse recalls. “But within a week, his health improved. His weight rose to 9.7 kg, and his arm circumference increased from 10 cm to 11 cm.”
Elyse, Espoir's mother
After six weeks, Espoir was stable enough to return home. Today, Elyse attends nutrition education sessions where she learns how to prepare affordable, balanced meals with local ingredients.
"My children will no longer suffer from malnutrition”
Elyse, Espoir's mother
Cooking demonstrations: learning prevention at home
Treatment is only one part of AVSI’s approach. To prevent malnutrition from recurring, the project also promotes community cooking demonstrations, where families learn to prepare nutritious meals with available ingredients.
Standing by a steaming pot, community mobiliser Sadiki explains:
“We organize sessions every month to show parents how to prepare a nutritious porridge with local-available ingredients. Later, we visit families to check how they are applying what they learned.”
For more than three years, Sadiki and his team have used porridge demonstrations as a practical tool to raise awareness about child nutrition.
Volunteer Katungu Liliane adds:
“During each training session, we also measure children’s arm circumference. If we detect malnutrition, we immediately refer them to the nearest health facility.”
Katungi Liliane
A recipe for resilience
It was during one such demonstration that Justine, a mother of three, discovered the “four-star porridge” — a balanced mix of cereals, legumes, vegetables, and animal products.
“This porridge is good for all children, not just those who are malnourished. Since then, I prepare it two to four times a week. My children are in good nutritional condition, thanks to these teachings.”
Justine, community members and mother of three
Results so far (2025)
AVSI and its community health partners in Karisimbi have:
- Treated 340 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, including 88 cases with medical complications, of which 7 were infants under 6 months.
- Reached 6,569 children aged 0–23 months and 2,153 children aged 24–59 months through health facility services.
- Sensitized 2,144 pregnant and breastfeeding women on healthy nutrition practices.
- Trained 50 health professionals and community actors on the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM/PCIMA).
- Trained 50 health professionals and community actors on revitalized preschool consultations.
- Trained 100 community health workers on IMAM/PCIMA and Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies.
All of this has been made possible thanks to the support of the Italian Episcopal Conference and the active participation of local health structures and communities in Goma.