Congo: Clean energy for hospitals: Misereor

With the help of solar power, the people of Boma can give birth safely, receive refrigerated medicines and help around the clock. This cannot be taken for granted.

Your donation provides light, security and hope - day and night.

Continent

Africa

Thematic focus:

Green energy for a good life

The severe earthquake in Myanmar cost thousands of people their lives. Many more lost their home, their belongings or relatives. Through your gift, people in need will receive food, clothing and medical support.

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The DR Congo has been suffering from poverty and recurring conflicts for decades. Women and children are particularly affected. There is a lack of stable healthcare in many regions: Epidemics such as malaria and cholera are spreading and maternal mortality remains high. Without electricity, medical aid is often impossible, vital equipment does not work and operations become a danger.

People in the diocese of Boma come from far and wide. Some of them have no money for treatment. Nevertheless, they receive care at the health centres.

These health centres in Boma have been equipped with solar panels and are now reliably supplied.

People are now guaranteed round-the-clock care. Previously, there was no reliable treatment at night.

Patience Katunda is a Catholic sister and is responsible for the installation and maintenance of solar systems in the DR Congo.

The medical staff in the health centres are well trained.

Finally, they are also well equipped to care for patients.

Births can now be safely attended - for the benefit of mother and child.

Reliable light means safety: Mothers and their children are now also happy to come for a check-up.

The water supply is now also secure. Clean drinking water is particularly important for health.

The Bureau Diocésain des Œuvres Médicales (BDOM) in the diocese of Boma is working with great commitment to improve healthcare. Thanks to your support, 28 out of 33 health centres now have stable, sustainable energy. The lights are back on in the delivery rooms. Blood reserves and vaccines remain cool, births can be safely attended and medical staff can help at any time.

Solar power makes the facilities independent of expensive diesel generators. This saves costs, protects the environment and creates long-term stability. Employees are trained in how to use the technology, ensuring that the energy supply remains secure in the future. The money saved can now be used to buy more medicines and care for more patients.

In addition to the power supply, access to drinking water has also been improved. Two health centres received new wells - diseases caused by contaminated water have decreased significantly there. A total of 14 out of 33 facilities now have clean drinking water.

9 health facilities in the diocese of Boma have been equipped with solar systems.
28 health centres are permanently supplied with electricity.
2 health centres can use clean drinking water for the first time.
425 treatments were carried out free of charge for particularly poor patients.

Download detailed project information

19 €

45 €

180 €

550 €

€ *

Every donation helps people to change their lives for the better through their own efforts.

For donations by bank transfer, please state the project number "P10054" in the reference.

To ensure that your donation has an impact in the long term, Misereor uses a small proportion for important administration an related tasks. This way, we make sure that projects are selected carefully and implemented responsibly and that their effects are regularly monitored. Should it not be possible to use your donation as planned, we will use it where it is currently needed most.

On the occasion of the G7 meeting, Misereor is appealing to government representatives to make a clear commitment to the global phase-out of fossil fuels.

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We demand: Germany must not secure its energy needs at the expense of the poorest people in our world.

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Poster for the exhibition "On a low flame"

The photo exhibition makes the experience of energy poverty understandable in a striking way: it takes place in the dark.

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Our local partner organisations

Congolese Caritas

Misereor has been supporting health projects run by Congolese Caritas for decades. Caritas has set up a network of health centres to provide medical care to poor people in the various regions of this huge country. The health centres are run by nurses who are able to treat the most common diseases locally and attend normal births.

Father Piumatti

In Kanyabayonga, the people are supported by Father Piumatti, an experienced Misereor partner who has already implemented several projects of this kind.