For the last two years the Martín-Baró Fund has supported COPERMA in a community-based project to help survivors of rape and other war-related violence in the North Kivu Province in the eastern region of the DRC. In response to the trauma suffered and disruption of livelihoods caused, the project has conducted a range of psychotherapy sessions as well as providing vocational training. Psychotherapy work included listening sessions and individual and group counseling sessions that benefited approximately 850 victims. In its vocational training program last year, 228 received training in bread-making, 327 were trained in tailoring and 540 were trained in soap-making.

The MBF Committee has approved COPERMA’s request for a third year of funding. Violence in the DRC, particularly in the eastern region, presents mounting challenges for communities in the region. COPERMA remains poised to continue its efforts to address the needs of these traumatized communities. Recognizing the importance of mental health in the overall healing process, COPERMA will continue its psychosocial efforts through counseling sessions and family sensitization and education for rape victims, as well as for demobilized child-soldiers, orphans, and other displaced persons. Its work in vocational training will include distribution of kits to enable trainees in soap-making, tailoring and bread-making to reintegrate successfully into their own communities.