Cuts to USAID funding have prevented clinicians from caring for survivors of sexual violence in a region where there is a massive influx of cases of conflict-related sexual violence. Due to funding cuts, survivors of sexual violence are not able to access the full suite of care, including access to PEP kits, which contain emergency contraception, HIV medication to prevent infection within 72 hours, testing kits, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and forensic documentation forms.

Date: 7/25

Region: Africa

Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Topic: Health

Policy Lens: Global Health Security

Additional Context: In cases of pregnancy following rape, there is no longer care for termination or appropriate support offered, according to a program manager in a public institution in North Kivu.

This information was first published in a July 2025 research brief by Physicians for Human Rights entitled "Abandoned in Crisis: The Impact of U.S. Global Health Funding Cuts in Democratic Republic of the Congo." This brief is based on the findings of a rapid qualitative research assessment conducted from May to July 2025 with 15 medical professionals, humanitarian actors, and staff implementing projects in the North Kivu, South Kivu, and Kasaï regions of the DRC. Respondents were selected based on their direct experience with health systems affected by U.S. foreign aid funding cuts. Participants shared their perspectives through written statements, recorded interviews, voice memos, or other audio submissions. With informed consent, any audio submissions were recorded and transcribed, and the resulting data were analyzed to identify shared impacts and challenges. Participation was entirely voluntary, and all identifying information was removed to ensure participant confidentiality.

Source: Physicians for Human Rights (PHR)

Devex Researcher Note: A PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) kit for HIV typically covers a full 28-day course of antiretroviral medications used to prevent infection after a potential exposure. It is a short-term emergency intervention.