Democratic Republic of the Congo

In November 2011, the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) voted in their second national election since independence. While these elections are critically important in DRC, the country—with a population of over 71 million—faces multiple challenges. Due to the persistent presence of armed groups, ongoing insecurity continues to destabilize eastern DRC. Other challenges include rampant corruption, inadequate infrastructure and human resources, and a limited capacity to raise and manage revenues. In DRC, USAID is seeking to help establish a more stable democracy with a healthier, better educated population benefiting from peace and security.