Where we work
Caring for Survivors
Across the DRC
The Panzi Foundation operates in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—a country of immense cultural richness, natural beauty, and remarkable diversity. Home to over 100 million people and more than 200 ethnic groups, the DRC is one of the most populous and unique nations on the African continent. Its vast natural resources and vibrant communities make it a land of extraordinary potential, yet it faces significant challenges that demand urgent and sustained attention. Discover our DRC organization and the work we do.
We are proud to be a DRC organization, founded by Congolese individuals and staffed by a team that is 99% Congolese who share a deep connection to the communities we serve. Our work is not only for Congo—it is of Congo, drawing strength from the resilience, ingenuity, and courage of its people.
The DRC is our home, and our work reflects the needs and aspirations of its people. While the nation faces profound challenges—from decades of conflict to systemic inequities—it is also a place of incredible strength and potential.
The diversity of Congo’s people is one of its greatest assets, yet it is often underserved by systems that fail to provide equitable access to healthcare, education, and justice. At Panzi, we aim to bridge these gaps, providing holistic care that not only heals individuals but strengthens communities.
As former U.S. President Barack Obama said, “The future of Congo is one of the most important issues facing Africa. Its potential is unmatched, but so are the challenges it faces.” These words echo our mission: to unlock Congo’s potential by addressing these challenges head-on.
Supporting survivors and communities across the drc
The DRC faces immense challenges due to its sparse and deteriorating road infrastructure, making many regions inaccessible and without adequate health facilities. Panzi Foundation deploys teams of doctors, psychosocial assistants, and legal advocates to provide life-saving care and document the crimes. Our teams courageously trek through militia-controlled, dense forests—often at great personal risk—bringing critical support to survivors where no other humanitarian response exists. From our Hospital to our One Stop Centers to our Survivor Network, Panzi spans across the DRC.
We deliver more than 3,500 babies per year with a 99.1% live-birth rate – a staggering achievement in a country with one of the worst mortality rates on record according to the World Bank.
Our roots lie in South Kivu, a region that has endured significant hardship as a result of prolonged conflict, including the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. Despite these challenges, the people of South Kivu continue to show extraordinary resilience.
South Kivu is one of the 26 provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), located in the eastern part of the country and sharing borders with Rwanda, Burundi, and Lake Tanganyika. Covering approximately 65,000 square kilometers (25,000 square miles, about the size of the U.S. state of West Virginia or slightly larger than Lithuania), it is home to an estimated population of over 5 million people, accounting for about 6% of the DRC’s total population. The province is rich in natural resources, including significant deposits of gold, coltan, and cassiterite, contributing notably to the nation’s mineral exports.
Panzi Hospital, founded in Bukavu, South Kivu, has become a symbol of hope. It is here that we pioneered our holistic care model, addressing survivors’ medical, psychological, legal, and economic needs. This comprehensive approach recognizes that true healing requires treating the whole person, not just the immediate wounds.
Expanding Holistic Care Across the DRC and Beyond
While our journey began in South Kivu, our mission extends across the DRC. As one of Africa’s most populous countries, the DRC has vast regions where communities lack access to critical services. We are committed to changing this by expanding our holistic care model nationwide.
In partnership with the Mukwege Foundation, we also work to extend the impact of our holistic model beyond the borders of the DRC. Through our DRC organization, we advocate for global survivor-centered policies and provide training and resources to help other regions affected by conflict and sexual violence adopt and implement this transformative approach.
Through these efforts, we aim to create a Congo—and a world—where every individual can heal, thrive, and contribute to the future.
At the Panzi Foundation, we believe in the transformative power of Congolese leadership, resilience, and hope. Together, we are working toward a Congo that is as vibrant and diverse as its people—and as full of dignity and promise as its history foretells.
