In a significant setback for humanitarian aid in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) canceled a major contract to supply approximately 100,000 emergency kits for rape survivors, as violence surged in the country’s eastern provinces in early 2025. The decision, previously unreported, has left thousands of health centers without critical medical supplies, exacerbating the plight of survivors in a region where sexual violence is a pervasive weapon of war.
Background of the Crisis
The DRC’s eastern regions, particularly North and South Kivu, have been embroiled in a decades-long conflict, with a recent escalation driven by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who seized major cities like Goma and Bukavu in January 2025. The United Nations reports that over 67,000 cases of sexual violence were recorded in the first four months of 2025, with estimates suggesting the true number is significantly higher due to underreporting caused by stigma and fear of reprisals. Children make up 35-45% of victims, with UNICEF noting a child was raped every half hour during the peak of the violence.
The canceled USAID contract was intended to resupply over 2,000 health facilities with post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) kits, which include HIV medication to prevent infection within 72 hours, antibiotics for sexually transmitted diseases, and emergency contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancies. These kits are critical for addressing the immediate medical needs of survivors, offering protection against life-threatening conditions and long-term trauma.
Reasons for the Cancellation
The cancellation followed an executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump, who, upon taking office in January 2025, imposed a 90-day pause on foreign aid and halted USAID grants. This decision was part of a broader policy shift, with Trump arguing that the U.S. disproportionately funds foreign aid—$65 billion in 2024, nearly half via USAID—and that other nations should bear more of the burden. The contract, managed through an American NGO (unnamed to protect its operations), was abruptly terminated, disrupting the supply chain at a critical moment when M23 advances intensified the need for humanitarian support.
A Musk associate, involved in overseeing USAID’s restructuring under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), reportedly informed agency staff that the decision came from the “most senior levels,” without providing required authorization or justification. This lack of transparency has drawn criticism from USAID staff and humanitarian groups, who argue the move violates procedural norms and endangers lives.
Impact on Survivors and Communities
The absence of PEP kits has had devastating consequences. Health workers in South Kivu reported turning away survivors due to empty shelves, with one anonymous worker describing the despair of facing victims with “dead” gazes and no means to help. Survivors face heightened risks of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, and unsafe abortions, which carry high maternal mortality rates. UNICEF reported that in one hospital in April 2025, 127 survivors had no access to PEP kits, a direct result of funding cuts.
The funding shortfall has also strained humanitarian operations. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other aid groups are scrambling to raise $35 million from donors like the Gates Foundation to fill the gap. However, insecurity, impassable roads, and attacks on healthcare facilities make it difficult for survivors to reach clinics within the critical 72-hour window for PEP administration.
Amadou Bocoum, CARE International’s DRC Country Director, emphasized the kits’ importance: “This kit is truly important to reassure the woman who has been really traumatized that she won’t get AIDS, that she won’t have an unwanted pregnancy, and that she won’t contract venereal diseases.” The loss of these resources has left survivors like a 14-year-old girl, who walked two days to a clinic only to find no kits available, without critical support.
Broader Context and Criticism
Sexual violence in the DRC has long been documented as a deliberate tactic of war, used by armed groups and even state forces to destabilize communities and target ethnic groups. The 2025 surge, particularly following the M23 offensive, has overwhelmed an already fragile healthcare system. A 2014 report by Freedom from Torture and a 2024 Physicians for Human Rights study highlighted the systemic nature of these atrocities, noting cases of rape in captivity, gang rape, and attacks on displaced women seeking food or firewood.
Critics argue that the USAID cancellation reflects a broader retreat from humanitarian commitments. The UNFPA’s Noemi Dalmonte called the timing “very unfortunate,” as the contract’s termination coincided with peak violence. Humanitarian groups and USAID staffers, in affidavits filed in a federal lawsuit, have accused the Trump administration of undermining national security and abandoning vulnerable populations. A U.S. District Judge temporarily halted plans to furlough USAID staff, but the foreign aid freeze remains in place, complicating recovery efforts.
Ongoing Efforts and Calls for Action
Despite the setback, aid organizations are pushing for accountability and alternative funding. The UN has called for gender-sensitive, survivor-centered responses, including safe reporting mechanisms and increased medical and psychosocial support. Congolese authorities have made some progress, with landmark convictions in cases like the 2016 Kavumu child rape trials, but impunity remains rampant, particularly for senior officers and armed group leaders.
The crisis underscores the need for sustained international support. As Sofia Calltorp of U.N. Women noted, women and girls bear the brunt of the DRC’s instability, facing not only direct violence but also indirect consequences like lack of healthcare access. The UNFPA and partners are urging global donors to step in, while Congolese and international researchers advocate for community-based solutions, including awareness programs to reduce stigma and support survivor reintegration.
Conclusion
The cancellation of USAID’s contract for rape survivor kits has left a critical gap in the DRC’s humanitarian response, compounding the suffering of thousands in a region ravaged by conflict and sexual violence. While the U.S. State Department claims it will continue supporting life-saving programs, the immediate impact of the decision has been dire, with survivors denied essential care and health workers left powerless. As the international community seeks to address the shortfall, the situation highlights the urgent need for coordinated action to protect the DRC’s most vulnerable and hold perpetrators accountable.
Disclaimer: This article draws on information from Reuters, CARE, and other sources, as well as posts on X, but the full scope of the crisis and the reasons behind USAID’s decision remain subject to ongoing debate and investigation.