Increased EU Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence in DR Congo

The EU is extending and increasing its support to PMU for its work with Panzi Hospital in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). The situation in the country is currently described as one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.

“It is encouraging that PMU continues to have the EU’s trust. The needs in DR Congo are immense. The Swedish Pentecostal mission has been present in eastern DR Congo for over 100 years (PMU as an organization for over 50 years), and we plan to remain as long as needed,” says Johanna Liljegren, Humanitarian Coordinator at PMU.

At the beginning of 2025, armed conflicts escalated in eastern DR Congo. Rebels took over large parts of the North and South Kivu provinces and also seized control of the city of Bukavu, where Panzi Hospital is located. Despite extremely difficult circumstances, operations continue, and efforts have been adapted to reach the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people who, due to the war, are without access to healthcare.

“To respond to the crisis, Panzi Hospital has deployed mobile clinics to these areas. The clinics bring equipment, staff, and medicine. Patients in need of more advanced care, especially surgery, can then be referred to the hospital. Many have been subjected to sexual violence, but there are also many other healthcare needs. That’s why we go to places where many have fled,” explains Johanna Liljegren.

The EU has supported the work of Panzi for over 20 years. This latest EU cooperation has been ongoing since 2022 and supports PMU's work for survivors of sexual violence at Panzi Hospital. The support is now extended until 2026, and the agreement is increased from €500,000 per year to €600,000. The holistic care model is seen as exemplary and is also recommended by the EU for others in the region. With help from the EU and PMU’s own fundraising, Panzi Hospital has been able to quickly adapt to meet the major challenges of the latest crisis through mobile clinics. The hope is that the most acute phase of the crisis will ease so that Panzi Hospital can also resume and expand legal assistance for survivors of sexual violence. This legal support aims to restore dignity to survivors and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

The latest crisis in DR Congo has led to a sharp increase in the number of displaced people with urgent needs. In North and South Kivu alone, 2.5 million people are displaced. Across the country, 12.9 million people are in urgent need of healthcare, and in South Kivu, 1.6 million lack sufficient food. In addition to food, people lack other basic necessities such as water and shelter. As armed violence has increased, there has also been a significant rise in sexual violence affecting both adults and children.

Facts: Panzi Hospital’s Holistic Care Model

Panzi Hospital’s care model for survivors of sexual violence is based on four “pillars”:

• Medical care for injuries caused by the assault.
• Psychological and social support.
• Legal advice and accompaniment.
• Social and economic assistance for reintegration into society. Poverty and stigma related to the assault pose major challenges for survivors.

Although the majority of survivors are women and children, male patients who have been subjected to abuse also come to Panzi Hospital.

For more information or interview requests, contact:

Linnea Jimenez
Press Officer, PMU
linnea.jimenez@pmu.se
+46 8 608 96 13