AVSI in the Republic of the Congo
- Pointe Noire Avenue LINGUISSI PEMBELLOT,
Résidence Gabriella, Porte 203
Phone: 00242 06 514 48 64
[email protected] - Brazzaville Rue Mbochi 10, Quartier Poto-Poto
- Dolisie Route Lissanga face Mvouama
AVSI began its work in the Republic of the Congo in 2011 with a project to rehabilitate and restore water wells in villages in the Hinda district and the reconstruction of a primary school in Tchitondi.
Over the years, AVSI has supported vulnerable populations by collaborating with local organizations on education projects, combating gender-based violence, protecting children’s rights, and developing agricultural initiatives in the departments of Pointe-Noire, Kouilou, Bouenza, Niari and Brazzaville.
The Republic of the Congo toda
The Republic of the Congo has long faced deep social and economic inequality, compounded by a high poverty rate (51,7%) and youth unemployment (42%). These issues are further exacerbated by the volatility of oil prices, the country’s primary export.
Social exclusion and vulnerability are multidimensional and intensified by poverty and inequality. These challenges extend beyond geographic disparities between urban and rural areas and are reflected in socioeconomic gaps among population groups, particularly women and people with disabilities.
Gender-based violence and inequality reach alarming levels, with insufficient support for survivors. This precarious environment generates uncertainty and fear about the future, deepening the country’s economic, social, and cultural divides.
AVSI’s areas of intervention in the Republic of the Congo
- Energy: Promoting clean cooking technologies and access to domestic energy.
- Human rights & peace: Combating gender-based violence, supporting survivors, and strengthening civil society organizations.
- Economic empowerment: Supporting social entrepreneurship and the circular economy.
- Child protection: Preventing abandonment of vulnerable children
- Nutrition: Reducing malnutrition among school-age children through school feeding programmes.
- Climate change: Mitigating deforestation and emissions by promoting clean cooking technologies.
- Education: Combating school dropout rates, improving the quality of education, and strengthening schools in rural areas.
- Agriculture & food security: Supporting local farmers through technical assistance and provision of agricultural tools and equipment.
- Women's empowerment: Promoting gender equality and strengthening civil society organizations to combat discrimination and violence against women.
Ongoing projects
- “BETO TUNGA BUMOSSI— Construisons l'égalité” (2024–2028)
In partnership with the Institut Européen de Coopération et de Développement (IECD), Congo Entreprises Développement (CGED), and the Association Maison des Cœurs Amis du Congo (AMACO), this project strengthens civil society organizations to combat gender-based violence. It aims to mobilize Congolese society in support of gender equality and against all forms of discrimination and violence against women. - “ENI SAMU NA NDAMBULU YA KITOKO MPE BUNKETE” (2023-2028)
Through the "Improved cookstoves and Clean Cooking" project, families benefit from improved health and economic conditions, reduced deforestation, and climate change mitigation. - “UN REPAS POUR L’AVENIR” (2025-2026)
The project aims to improve the well-being of children at Tandou Miloumba primary school by ensuring adequate nutrition to reduce school dropout rates and by increasing the number of birth registrations to secure their legal identity. - “Bienvenue” (2026–2027)
Targeting vulnerable children, this project strengthens the capacities of care actors and improves educational services to ensure inclusive development and prevent child abandonment
Key completed projects
- E-Cooking (2024–2025): developed in collaboration with Eni, this project promoted high-efficiency cooking systems in Pointe-Noire. It focused on clean energy access while raising awareness about health, household economy, and personal empowerment.
- KUTELEMA NA KUNIOKUAMA YA BA KENTO - Levons-nous contre la maltraitance des femmes 2021-2024
In response to alarming statistics—an average of 150 cases of sexual violence annually in Pointe-Noire and Kouilou departments—this project promoted gender equality and women’s rights. It provided medical, legal, and psychosocial support to survivors of violence, including:- Assisting 608 survivors of gender-based violence.
- Providing medical care to 164 women.
- Offering psychosocial support to 545 women.
- Providing legal assistance to 594 women.
The project also strengthened the management and gender competencies of eight civil society organizations.
- “BETO DIKISSA L'ÉCOLE—Cantines scolaires” (2021-2023)
Surveys in villages in the Kouilou department revealed that lack of nutrition was a major factor in school dropouts. Through this project, school meal services were established, providing 26,183 meals to 706 students and improving the technical skills of 60 local producers who directly supplied the canteens. - “REINFORCEMENT DE SERVICE D'EAU, ASSAINISSEMENT ET HYGIENE” (2021-2023)
With 40% of schools lacking sanitation facilities and 54% without access to drinking water, this project addressed significant health risks by promoting behavior change around hygiene and water use in schools. Key achievements include:- Building two wells and five drinking water access points.
- Constructing 10 sanitation facilities with separate toilets, benefiting 10,713 students.
- Distributing reusable sanitary pads made by local seamstresses.
- Raising awareness on handwashing, water management, open defecation risks, and menstrual hygiene management.
