USAID/OTI DROC Fact Sheet
March 2004
FY 2004 Budget - $6,900,000 (requested)
Background
Isolation between regions and villages is one of the impediments to Congolese involvement in the advancement of the political transition. After forty years of near total neglect, the remnants of colonial infrastructure have collapsed. Remaining rebel forces live off the land and plague communities through extortion and petty theft. Due to rebel threats, poor or absent infrastructure, and limited access to media, the free flow of people, goods, and information is challenged, thus hampering economic growth. With scarce and inaccurate media, the population is often manipulated through rumors and propaganda. The establishment of the new Transitional Government and other institutions presents the country with the first opportunity in thirty years for sounder peace and democratic governance. However, the return of ex-combatants, refugees, and internally displaced persons, and the physical and social breakdown of communities serve as major impediments to political transition and future stability.
Program Goals and Objectives
USAID/OTI’s goal in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is to ensure a more stable, secure and better informed environment for war torn communities. OTI’s objectives in DRC are to:
- Re-socialize war-affected peoples and support their re-integration into local communities;
- Increase availability and country-wide access to objective and balanced information; and
- Expand and strengthen linkages between communities.
Program Activities
Community Reintegration: The majority of OTI’s program budget is designated for the reconstruction of war-torn communities’ social, political, and physical infrastructure. Activities include: vocational training, psycho-social care for war-affected persons, and basic living skills education, an in-kind small grants component to support community-driven activities, and a media component to improve access to information, address issues relevant to communities, and include citizens in the political transition. The initiative operates from Kisangani, Bunia, and Kindu – areas expecting large influxes of returning refugees. This initiative promotes stability, security, and an improved quality of life in communities.
Radio Programming: OTI supports Fondation Hirondelle in its collaborative effort with the United Nations Mission in the Congo (MONUC) to increase the availability of and access to balanced information by expanding the Radio Okapi network and offering continuous, short wave, and FM broadcasts. The station’s local language (Lingala, Swahili, Tshiluba, Kikongo) programming provides the population with balanced information as the peace process advances, ensuring that Congolese are informed on progress made in the normalization of political and social life. Additionally, further support to Fondation Hirondelle will strengthen the connection between Radio Okapi and indigenous radio stations through training and technical assistance activities and inclusion within the Okapi radio network. As well, OTI is supporting Search for Common Ground’s Giving Voice to Congo’s Children (GVCC) project, which produces radio programs by children and for children. This program’s broadcasts address issues pertaining to youth and conflict in order to encourage dialogue on these issues. GVCC will strengthen the role that youth play in the development of their communities and enhance their contribution to national dialogues relevant to the peace process.
For further information, please contact:
In Washington, D.C.: Bronwyn Bruton, OTI Program Manager, e-mail: bbruton@usaid.gov; telephone: (202) 712-0827
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