R4D Congo DRC

First report of the identification of Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus in papaya in Democratic Republic of Congo

Thu, 24 May 2012 07:35 GMT

Document Type: Journal Article

Production Year: 2008

Citation: Arocha, Y.; Vigheri, N.; Nkoy-Florent, B.; Bakwanamaha, K.; Bolomphety, B.; Kasongo, M.; Betts, P.; Monger, W.A.; Harju, V.; Mumford, R.A.; Jones, P. First report of the identification of Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus in papaya in Democratic Republic of Congo. Plant Pathology (2008) 57 (2) 387-387. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3059.2007.01658.x]

Summary: Pawpaw is the major cash crop in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, where it is grown for latex and exported to Europe for papaverine production. Since 1997, a disease has gradually spread throughout North Kivu, seriously affecting latex yields. As field production declined, this has been offset by expansion into new areas of forest; in turn this has a serious environmental impact on the fragile ecosystems of the equatorial highlands. Plants are affected at all ages and all local pawpaw cultivars are susceptible to the disease. Leaf symptoms ranged from yellow mosaic patterns to deformation and shoestrings as the disease progressed. Oily streaks in petioles and variations in shape and size of the ring spots on the fruits were also seen. Within the trunk, pink discolouration and tumour-like growth appeared, which eventually became brown and necrotic. In the final disease stage, plants resembled a pole with a tuft of small leaves at the apex and the internal trunk became fibrous. The isolated pathogen was identified as Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus (MWMV). This is thought to be the first record of MWMV both in pawpaw and in the DRC.

Presence of banana xanthomonas wilt (Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Thu, 24 May 2012 02:56 GMT

Document Type: Journal Article

Production Year: 2006

Citation: Ndungo, V.; Eden-Green, S.; Blomme, G.; Crozier, J.; Smith, J.J. Presence of banana xanthomonas wilt (Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Plant Pathology (2006) 55 (2) 294-294. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3059.2005.01258.x]

Summary: In May 2004, following reports from local farmers of a devastating new banana disease, three authors of this paper visited Masisi District, 72 km north-west from Goma in North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, and diagnosed banana bacterial wilt caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum. Symptoms included: progressive yellowing, wilting and blackening of leaves; yellow or brown vascular streaks throughout the plant; pockets of pale yellow bacterial ooze in airspaces within leaf bases; premature ripening and internal discoloration of fruits; and shrivelling of male inflorescence buds. ABB banana genotypes appeared to be the first to be infected, and matooke clones (AAA-EA group) the last. Affected stools do not always die; new suckers emerge and these initially appear healthy but usually become infected from the mother plant, rarely surviving to the flowering stage. The epicentre of the outbreak in Masisi was devastated, with total loss of yield and an alarming impact on food security. Biochemical and molecular characteristics of yellow pigmented bacterial isolates confirmed the identity of the pathogen.

Gender, climate change and REDD+ in the Congo Basin forests of Central Africa

Tue, 22 May 2012 07:40 GMT

Document Type: Journal Article

Production Year: 2011

Citation: Peach Brown, H.C. Gender, climate change and REDD+ in the Congo Basin forests of Central Africa. International Forestry Review (2011) 13 (2) 163-176. [DOI: 10.1505/146554811797406651]

Summary: The Congo Basin region of Central Africa contains the second largest contiguous tropical rainforest in the world, which is an important source of livelihood for millions of people. It is also important for climate change adaptation, as well as mitigation policies on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). Men and women relate to and use the forest differently and so may experience the effects of climate change and REDD+ policies differently. Investigations through semi-structured interviews and document reviews in three countries of the region revealed that women have had limited participation in discussions on issues of climate change or REDD+. There is some evidence that gender consideration will become part of future national REDD+ strategies. Strategies to foster the effective participation of all stakeholders are essential to ensure that gender dimensions are addressed in issues of climate change, forest access, forest management and distribution of carbon benefits.

Institutional Perceptions of Opportunities and Challenges of REDD+ in the Congo Basin

Tue, 22 May 2012 07:25 GMT

Document Type: Journal Article

Production Year: 2011

Citation: Peach Brown, H.C.; Smit, B.; Sonwa, D.J.; Somorin, O.A.; Nkem, J. Institutional Perceptions of Opportunities and Challenges of REDD+ in the Congo Basin. Journal of Environment and Development (2011) 20 (4) 381-404. [DOI: 10.1177/1070496511426480]

Summary: Tropical forests have a central role to play in a new mechanism designed to mitigate climate change, known as REDD+ (Reduced Emissions From Deforestation and Forest Degradation). Through semistructured interviews and content analysis of relevant documents, the perceptions of the opportunities and challenges of REDD+ of institutions, who may be directly implicated in or affected by its implementation are investigated. Research takes place in three Central African countries, Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Democratic Republic of Congo, which contain the Congo Basin forest. Perception of opportunities include economic development and poverty reduction, biodiversity conservation, network building, and governance reform. Challenges identified include REDD+’s complexity, lack of technical capacity for implementation, opportunities for participation, benefit sharing, and the traditional system of shifting cultivation. Those involved in designing REDD+ internationally need to understand developing-country perspectives, and institutions at all levels need to work together to develop concrete strategies to improve overall outcomes.

APPP Working Paper No. 22. Muslim public schools in post-conflict D.R. Congo: New hybrid institutions in a weak state

Tue, 15 May 2012 04:47 GMT

Document Type: Working Paper
Creator: Leinweber, A.E.

Production Year: 2012

Citation: Leinweber, A.E. APPP Working Paper No. 22. Muslim public schools in post-conflict D.R. Congo: New hybrid institutions in a weak state. Africa Power and Politics Programme (APPP), Overseas Development Institute, London, UK (2012) 26 pp.

Summary: Since the Democratic Republic (D.R.) of Congo has long been hailed a classic example of state failure, one might imagine that the plethora of public goods being provided by non-state actors in the post-war period is the result of such actors stepping in to fill the void left by a deficient state unable to provide for its own citizens. In reality, however, the situation is much more complex. The Congolese state, following the Belgian model, has a long history of encouraging faith based organizations, and the Catholic Church in particular, to be the primary providers of education. After President Mobutu, the dictator for over three decades, launched a failed attempt in the 1970s to take back control of the education system for the state, he reached a compromise by creating the ‘convention’ system. This hybrid system allows the state to maintain control of the education system, while religious organizations are responsible for the day-to-day operation of schools. Though Christian groups have been running schools for several decades, the post-war period has seen the development of a new hybrid institution in the form of Islamic public schools. The minority Muslim population of Congo has historically been known for its quiescence and detachment from most public sectors, but empirical evidence from fieldwork reveals that the community has begun collaborating with the Congolese state to provide public education in recent years, and is doing so very effectively. This study argues that this has been possible because of a shift in historic tensions within the Muslim community itself, while this moment in post-conflict Congolese history presents an opportunity as the state is too weak to govern on its own, yet is also increasingly democratic and allows access to previously marginalized groups, such as the Muslim minority. Therefore, the provision of education in post-conflict D.R. Congo is an example of hybrid governance, requiring the cooperation and resources of both the Congolese state and religious organizations.

FHS Inception Phase Report

Fri, 11 May 2012 08:31 GMT

Document Type: Report

Production Year: 2011

Citation: Anon. FHS Inception Phase Report. (2011) 16 pp.

Summary: The Inception Phase for the second phase of the Future Health Systems Research Program Consortium lasted from January-August 2011. This report summarizes the progress made during that time and lays out a plan of action for the next five years of work. In particular, the report summarizes progress made on research (including different analytical frameworks, themes and methodologies), management, capacity development, policy influence and research uptake and monitoring and evaluation of the program.

Democratic Republic of Congo talks climate

Thu, 03 May 2012 01:21 GMT

Document Type: Report
Creator: Burton, M.; LeRoux-Rutledge, E.; Godfrey, A.

Production Year: 2010

Citation: Burton, M.; LeRoux-Rutledge, E.; Godfrey, A. Democratic Republic of Congo talks climate. BBC World Service Trust, London, UK (2010) 19 pp.

Summary: Between September and November 2009, the BBC World Service Trust conducted research in DR Congo to gauge public understanding of climate change. The research consisted of 12 focus group discussions in six locations with Congolese citizens, as well as 17 in-depth interviews with opinion leaders from government, religious institutions, the private sector, the media and civil society. The overall objective was to find out what people think about climate change and to determine how to tailor communication and media strategies to support DR Congo’s response to climate change. Findings and recommendations are presented in this report.

Africa Talks Climate: The public understanding of climate change in ten countries. Executive Summary.

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:14 GMT

Document Type: Report
Creator: Godfrey, A.; Roux-Rutledge, E. le; Cooke, S.; Burton, M.; Neville, L.; Pauker, E.

Production Year: 2010

Citation: Godfrey, A.; Roux-Rutledge, E. le; Cooke, S.; Burton, M.; Neville, L.; Pauker, E. Africa Talks Climate: The public understanding of climate change in ten countries. Executive Summary. BBC World Service Trust, London, UK / British Council, UK (2010) 20 pp.

Summary: This report summarizes research conducted to date on public understanding of climate change in Africa. The research programme was called Africa Talks Climate (ATC). Fieldwork completed in 2009 convened discussions with over 1000 citizens and nearly 200 opinion leaders in ten countries across sub-Saharan Africa. Using a qualitative research approach, ATC sought to assess current attitudes and understanding and identify how media and communication can best support Africans’ response to climate change.

Challenges of controlling sleeping sickness in areas of violent conflict: experience in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:47 GMT

Document Type: Journal Article
Creator: Tong, J.; Valverde, O.; Mahoudeau, C.; Yun, O.; Chappuis, F.

Production Year: 2011

Citation: Tong, J.; Valverde, O.; Mahoudeau, C.; Yun, O.; Chappuis, F. Challenges of controlling sleeping sickness in areas of violent conflict: experience in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Conflict and Health (2011) 5 (1) 7. [DOI: 10.1186/1752-1505-5-7]

Summary:

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness, is a fatal neglected tropical disease if left untreated. HAT primarily affects people living in rural sub-Saharan Africa, often in regions afflicted by violent conflict. Screening and treatment of HAT is complex and resource-intensive, and especially difficult in insecure, resource-constrained settings. The country with the highest endemicity of HAT is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has a number of foci of high disease prevalence. We present here the challenges of carrying out HAT control programmes in general and in a conflict-affected region of DRC. We discuss the difficulties of measuring disease burden, medical care complexities, waning international support, and research and development barriers for HAT.

In 2007, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) began screening for HAT in the Haut-Uélé and Bas-Uélé districts of Orientale Province in northeastern DRC, an area of high prevalence affected by armed conflict. Through early 2009, HAT prevalence rate of 3.4% was found, reaching 10% in some villages. More than 46,000 patients were screened and 1,570 treated for HAT during this time. In March 2009, two treatment centres were forced to close due to insecurity, disrupting patient treatment, follow-up, and transmission-control efforts. One project was reopened in December 2009 when the security situation improved, and another in late 2010 based on concerns that population displacement might reactivate historic foci. In all of 2010, 770 patients were treated at these sites, despite a limited geographical range of action for the mobile teams.

In conflict settings where HAT is prevalent, targeted medical interventions are needed to provide care to the patients caught in these areas. Strategies of integrating care into existing health systems may be unfeasible since such infrastructure is often absent in resource-poor contexts. HAT care in conflict areas must balance logistical and medical capacity with security considerations, and community networks and international-response coordination should be maintained. Research and development for less complicated, field-adapted tools for diagnosis and treatment, and international support for funding and program implementation, are urgently needed to facilitate HAT control in these remote and insecure areas.

Report - AFCAP First Visit to DRC

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:34 GMT

Document Type: Visit Report
Creator: Leta, N.

Production Year: 2011

Citation: Leta, N. Report - AFCAP First Visit to DRC. (2011) 4 pp.

Summary: The AFCAP Technical Managers, Rob Geddes and Nkululeko Leta visited Kinshasa, DRC from the 3rd to the 7th of October 2011. The primary objective was to assess the possibility and, subsequently, modalities of AFCAP involvement in the DRC. This assessment was done through meetings with most key stakeholders in the road sector. The visit also provided the opportunity for the AFCAP team to meet and establish contacts with the main actors in the road sector with whom AFCAP will collaborate once formal approvals to operate are given by GoDRC.