The National Fund for Reparations for Victims of Sexual Violence Related to Armed Conflict and Peace Against Humanity (FONAREV) recently undertook a roaming mission in five pilot provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These provinces, namely Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu (Bukavu), Kasaï-Central and Kongo-Central, have been the most affected by decades of conflict and violence, causing numerous victims and deep trauma within communities.
As part of this mission, a FONAREV delegation went to the Panzi reference hospital, headed by Dr Denis Mukwege, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for his work in reparation for rape victims. The objective of this visit was to establish collaboration between FONAREV and Dr Mukwege to jointly care for victims of violence in the country.
During the interview, Lucien Lundula Lolatui, Director General of FONAREV, said that Dr. Denis Mukwege is committed to supporting FONAREV in its mission to help victims and to working closely with the organization. He underlined the importance of this collaboration, highlighting the credible role and reputation of Dr. Mukwege in the field of victim reparation.
This collaboration between FONAREV and Dr Denis Mukwege marks the beginning of effective and concerted care for victims, in accordance with the wishes of the President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi, and the First Lady, godmother of FONAREV, Denise Nyakeru . This partnership promises to provide additional expertise and resources to support victims and help them rebuild.
After their meeting with Dr. Mukwege, members of the FONAREV delegation visited Panzi Hospital, often called “city of joy” by the women who receive care there. This visit allowed them to familiarize themselves with the work carried out by Dr Mukwege and his team and to better understand the needs of victims.
In conclusion, the commitment of FONAREV and Dr Denis Mukwege to working together demonstrates a common desire to support victims of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This collaboration promises to bring a new dimension to reparation for victims and to contribute to the construction of a more just and equitable society.