Democratic Republic of Congo

Key Results in 2024

Over 15,000 malnourished people living with HIV and 9,500 TB patients received nutritional and medical care.
A national roadmap was adopted to strengthen integrated services for eliminating vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B.
HIV testing reached over 20,000 key population members, with all positives referred for treatment.
Advocacy ensured integration of HIV services into the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan for displaced persons, refugees, and host communities.

Joint Programme Results

In 2024, the Joint Programme advanced HIV prevention, treatment, and rights-based interventions in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A six-month national HIV prevention campaign mobilized government, UN agencies, civil society, PEPFAR, Center Disease Control, and private partners, reaching over 4,300 people directly and millions more via SMS and visual materials (UNAIDS Secretariat). HIV testing reached 2,200 sex workers, 1,600 gay men and other men who have sex with men, 860 people who use drugs, 440 prisoners, and 170 uniformed personnel, with all positives referred for treatment (UNDP, UNHCR) Additionally, 15,800 prisoners were tested, identifying 100 HIV cases. Nutritional and medical support benefited more than 15,000 malnourished people living with HIV and 9,500 TB patients (WFP).

A national roadmap for the triple elimination of vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B was adopted (UNICEF, WHO), while paediatric efforts were strengthened through provincial action plans, training of 80 clinicians, and distribution of 770 early infant diagnosis cartridges and 1,870 test kits. (UNICEF). The community-led “mentor-mother” programme further improved outcomes and reduced costs (UNAIDS Secretariat, UNICEF).

HIV incidence per 1000 uninfected populations

Source: AIDSinfo

AIDS mortality per 1000 population

Source: AIDSinfo

Progress towards 95-95-95 targets

Source: AIDSinfo

The national Civil Society coordination platform (ANORS) was decentralized across all 26 provinces to improve community-led coordination, planning, organization, and reporting on HIV (UNAIDS Secretariat). Capacity-building on community-led HIV monitoring was conducted for all 26 provinces with over 150 participants (UNAIDS Secretariat). Advocacy efforts targeted key partners and a session hosted by the UK Embassy with the Minister of Gender reinforced commitment to strengthening community systems. A community-led HIV monitoring dashboard is being finalized to enhance monitoring and accountability (UNAIDS Secretariat).

To address stigma, gender-based violence (GBV) and inclusion, over 150 community and religious leaders were trained on HIV, while 30 civil society organizations built legal and psychosocial support capacity (UNDP, UNWOMEN, UNFPA, UNHCR). An additional 75 traditional chiefs and 30 religious leaders were sensitized on reproductive health and harmful practices (UNFPA). More than 220 GBV survivors received legal, psychosocial, and food assistance (UNFPA, WFP). Legal aid also supported 170 victims of HIV-related stigma, while 100 justice officials were trained on human rights and HIV (UNDP).

Community initiatives engaged 5,000 adolescents and youth on HIV and reproductive health, distributing 440,000 male and 7,000 female condoms (UNICEF, UNESCO, UNWOMEN, UNFPA). Over 5,600 key population members accessed STI treatment (UNDP, UNFPA). More than 5,500 students were sensitized on rights and sexual health, and 120 youth leaders trained as gender and HIV advocates (UNESCO, UNWOMEN, UNFPA). The “Hello Ado” mobile app reached 4,100 young people with information on SRHR and GBV, while 180 school committee members were mobilized to support girls’ education (UNICEF, UNESCO, UNWOMEN, UNFPA).

In response to the humanitarian crisis, aligned with the 2023–2027 National HIV Strategic Plan, advocacy ensured HIV integration into the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan (UNAIDS Secretariat, UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF, WHO, UNRC) Over 3,700 GBV survivors received medical care, including 350 post-exposure prophylaxis kits (UNFPA, UNHCR). Outreach to 330 displaced households identified 280 people living with HIV, of whom 81% received food assistance (WFP).