Published on April 18, 2020

Improving the quality of life: Indigenous people in the Republic of Congo


This Joint Programme will contribute to Government efforts to improve the living conditions and access to social protection of indigenous peoples in the Lekoumou region, home to approximately 25% of the indigenous population of Congo.

Currently these populations face rampant discrimination and poor access to public services.The Joint Programme will aim to strengthen the national capacity to deliver quality social protection services that benefit indigenous and bantu populations. 40% of indigenous children suffer from chronic malnutrition compared to 26% of the general population.

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Loudssina Bassinguila Vastine, Mongo School director in Sibiti, Congo.

With this programme, we are waiting to increase the number of children in classrooms. Before the school meal programme, children were attending school irregularly, especially indigenous children. Out of 150 students, 22 are indigenous and before the programme it was difficult to keep their attendance now, the school meals keep the kids in school. We would like to improve the meals with home grown local and organic food raised in the community.

To me, social protection means eliminating marginalization and well-being of all.

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Ngoma Jean, 25 years old farmer married with 3 children living in Sibiti, Congo.

I’m really happy with the school meal programme because it gives my wife and I comfort knowing our children will have a meal and not be hungry at school.

No one left behind means, everyone is taken into account, without discrimination.