Mobility assistance for disabled children in DRC

Introduction

The heavy rains of late 2023 and early 2024 severely impacted Kalemie, leaving 90 households of people with disabilities homeless. These already vulnerable individuals have lost their homes and lack essential support. In response to this crisis, our project aims to provide accessible temporary shelters, improve access to essential services, deliver economic and social support, and strengthen their protection.

The project also promotes a participatory approach, emphasizing the rights of people with disabilities and their involvement in decision-making processes while raising community awareness about their inclusion.

Problem Statement

People with disabilities in Kalemie live in extremely precarious conditions. The torrential rains have worsened their situation by destroying their homes and further limiting their access to basic services. This often-overlooked population requires urgent and tailored interventions to ensure their safety, dignity, and social inclusion.

Without appropriate intervention, these households will remain in critical conditions, deepening inequalities and increasing risks of marginalization.

Project Objectives
1. Improved Accessibility:
- Rehabilitate infrastructure to ensure access for people with disabilities.

2. Strengthening Protection and Security:
- Build accessible and safe emergency shelters.
- Train rescue teams on the specific needs of people with disabilities.

3. Economic and Social Support:
- Distribute essential equipment and supplies.
- Support economic recovery through micro-credits and professional training.

4. Inclusion and Participation:
- Encourage the participation of people with disabilities in crisis management.
- Raise community awareness about the importance of their inclusion.

Expected Outcomes
1. Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure:
- Adapting infrastructure to benefit the entire community.
- Inclusive emergency plans to improve crisis responses for all.

2. Strengthening Social Cohesion:
- Including people with disabilities in emergency interventions to foster social inclusion.
- Collaboration between institutions to strengthen community solidarity.

3. Empowerment of People with Disabilities:
- Access to economic and social opportunities.
- Enhanced role in local decision-making processes.

Preliminary Analysis and Planning
Field assessments conducted in 2024 identified the specific needs of affected households and prioritized areas for intervention. These analyses informed tailored solutions, such as accessible infrastructure and mechanisms for economic support.

Budget and Funding
The total budget required for implementing this project in 2025 is estimated at **$45,500 USD**.

This amount will cover:
- The construction of accessible temporary shelters.
- Rehabilitation of priority infrastructure.
- Distribution of essential supplies.
- Professional training and micro-credit programs.

Currently, fundraising efforts are ongoing through **GlobalGiving**, but no funds have been raised yet. We rely on international support and donor contributions to meet this goal.

Conclusion and Call for Support
This project provides an urgent and inclusive response to Kalemie’s humanitarian crisis. By supporting this initiative, you will help ensure safety, dignity, and inclusion for people with disabilities affected by the heavy rains.

Your contribution through GlobalGiving will help turn this vision into reality, creating a resilient future for the most vulnerable. Together, we can achieve a fairer and more inclusive humanitarian response.