DR Congo: More than 20,000 Displaced People From Pakadjuma Receive Emergency Food from World Vision DRC and Save the Children

On Friday, 4 July 2026, in Kinkole, N'Sele Municipality, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, World Vision DRC and Save the Children International, through the Joining Forces consortium, provided emergency food assistance to more than 6,000 households displaced from Pakadjuma and currently living at the Kinkole General Referral Hospital site. The families who received assistance had been displaced from their former settlement of Pakadjuma in the city of Kinshasa, where the government stated that they had settled illegally and erected informal structures. Since their relocation, many have lost their livelihoods, further exacerbating their vulnerability.

Implemented in response to the humanitarian crisis affecting these families, the intervention was carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity, as well as the N'Sele Health Zone. It aims to meet the immediate food needs of the most vulnerable households, particularly children, whose well-being continues to be severely threatened by the consequences of forced displacement.

The distribution took place from morning until late afternoon and reached households living in the villages of Kawele 1, Kawele 2 and Pakadjuma. Activities included unloading the food supplies, organising their storage, and distributing them through the ten community mobilisation units established across the site.

A total of 6,128 households, representing more than 20,500 people, received food assistance. The food basket included 500 bags of 25 kg rice, 1,900 bags of 5 kg beans, 6,128 one-litre bottles of vegetable oil and 3,328 packets of 2 kg sugar. The quantity allocated to each household was adjusted according to family size to ensure a fair distribution.

For displaced families, this assistance provides vital support at a time when livelihood opportunities remain extremely limited.

"I would like to thank World Vision and Save the Children for this support. It will help us feed my children. Even though the quantity is small, it is still important. At least we now have something to eat," said Patience, a 23-year-old mother of three.

Beyond providing food, this intervention represents an important act of solidarity with communities that continue to face significant humanitarian challenges.

"Behind every food ration distributed today is a family regaining a measure of hope. While this assistance does not meet all the needs of displaced people, it makes an important contribution towards supporting households going through an extremely difficult period. Our hope is that these families, especially the children, will gradually regain safe and dignified living conditions," said Bayol, Programme Effectiveness Coordinator for the Kinshasa Cluster.

Teams on the ground also observed that the needs extend far beyond food assistance. Adequate shelter, access to healthcare, child protection and the resumption of education remain among the displaced families' most pressing concerns.

For Nicole Masanze Kaimba, Kinshasa Cluster Manager, the situation facing children remains particularly alarming.

"Children are currently living in conditions that prevent them from developing to their full potential, and their well-being is at serious risk. Many lack access to adequate healthcare and sufficient food, while others have been unable to continue their education. These deprivations are undermining their development. That is why we are here today, to provide humanitarian assistance and help protect their fundamental rights."

Despite a number of logistical challenges that resulted in the postponement of the distribution originally scheduled for 3 July 2026, the operation was completed peacefully and without any major incidents. Beneficiaries expressed their appreciation while also calling for more sustainable solutions to improve their living conditions.Through this intervention, World Vision DRC and Save the Children International reaffirm their commitment to supporting vulnerable populations affected by forced displacement and to promoting the well-being, protection and dignity of children and their families.