IMPACT Initiatives

31/08/2026

RCA | Élaborer un Plan de Développement Local avec et pour les communautés

Dans la sous-préfecture de Bangassou, les besoins en matière de santé, d’accès à l’eau, d’hygiène et d’assainissement demeurent importants. Pour accompagner la commune dans la définition de ses priorités de développement, IMPACT, en partenariat avec Acted, a mené une évaluation territoriale visant à appuyer l’élaboration d’un Plan de Développement Local (PDL).

Cette démarche a mis en lumière plusieurs enseignements clés:

✅ Diversifier les sources d’information au-delà des seuls leaders communautaires afin de garantir une meilleure représentativité des points de vue et une évaluation plus inclusive des besoins.

✅ Restituer les résultats des évaluations aux autorités locales et aux communautés concernées pour favoriser leur validation, renforcer la transparence et encourager l’appropriation des futures interventions.

✅ Accompagner la transition de l’urgence vers le développement, lorsque le contexte le permet, afin de renforcer la durabilité des actions et de réduire la dépendance à l’aide humanitaire.

Le Plan de Développement Local qui résulte de ce processus constitue une véritable feuille de route, co-construite avec les communautés et les autorités locales. Il vise à orienter et coordonner les interventions, ainsi que mobiliser les financements nécessaires au développement durable de la commune.

🎬 Découvrez le témoignage de Mélodie Yeho, chargée d’évaluation, qui revient sur cette démarche et ses principaux enseignements.

📄 Consultez également le rapport complet pour en savoir plus.

Le projet a été soutenu par la France Diplomatie

25/08/2026

🔴Critical levels of acute malnutrition in Akoka County, Upper Nile State, South Sudan.

A SMART survey conducted across all five payams of Akoka County (Benthiang, Riang, Rom, Baichan and Akoka) between 11 and 16 June 2026 paints a deeply concerning picture of the nutrition situation.

The survey found a Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) prevalence of 28.8% (95% CI: 23.7-34.4), placing Akoka in IPC Acute Malnutrition Phase 4 (Critical) and alarmingly close to the 30% threshold for Phase 5 (Extremely Critical). Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) reached 9.8% (95% CI: 6.5-14.3), more than double the emergency threshold of 4%.

Mortality indicators also point to a worsening public health crisis. The crude mortality rate was estimated at 1.18 deaths per 10,000 people per day (95% CI: 0.69-2.01), exceeding the emergency threshold. While the under-five mortality rate remained below emergency levels at 1.16 deaths per 10,000 children per day (95% CI: 0.41-3.21), it remains highly concerning when viewed alongside the extreme levels of malnutrition.

Several factors among others are driving this crisis:

• Critically low coverage of preventive health services, including measles vaccination (55.1%), Vitamin A supplementation (50.8%), and deworming (51.9%).

• Extremely poor infant and young child feeding practices, with only 3.5% of children aged 6-23 months receiving a minimum acceptable diet.

• Maternal malnutrition at emergency levels, with 26.8% of pregnant and lactating women acutely malnourished.

• Severe WASH challenges, with 67% of households relying on unimproved water sources, 96% not treating water, 76% practicing open defecation, and 97% lacking access to soap.

• Livelihoods under extreme strain, with 98% of households using emergency coping strategies and 20% experiencing severe or very severe hunger.

These findings reinforce warnings already highlighted in the April 2026 IPC Acute Malnutrition Projection Update, which projected Akoka's deterioration towards IPC Phase 5 (Extremely Critical) – link in first comment.

Akoka is not an isolated case. In Guit County, Unity State, GAM prevalence has reached 36.2%, exceeding the IPC threshold for Phase 5 (Extremely Critical). Together, these findings underscore the rapidly deteriorating nutrition situation in South Sudan and the urgent need for scaled-up, multisectoral action to save lives and prevent further deterioration.

20/08/2026

What are the current patterns of Ebola spread?

IMPACT has produced a new regional mobility analysis, which highlights how population movements may contribute to the continued spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) across northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries. As of 16 August 2026, the outbreak has expanded to 55 health zones across six provinces, with 4,945 confirmed cases and 2,325 deaths.

🔴 Key findings:

● Outbreak expansion continues: Bas-Uele Province reported its first Ebola-related death, while affected areas have continued to expand across Haut-Uele and Tshopo provinces, increasing the geographic footprint of the outbreak.

● Cross-border transmission risks are growing: Mobility patterns indicate heightened risk along key transport corridors linking affected areas to the Central African Republic through Bondo Health Zone and to South Sudan through Faradje and Aba Health Zones, highlighting the need for increased preparedness in these border areas.

● Major road and river networks remain critical transmission pathways: New cases have consistently emerged along primary transport routes, underscoring the need to strengthen surveillance, preparedness, and Point of Entry/Control measures in key market towns and transit hubs.

The analysis reinforces the importance of targeted surveillance, risk communication and community engagement, and point of entry preparedness efforts.

🔗 Access the most recent mobility analysis through the link in first comment.

18/08/2026

On 16 August 2026, authorities reported 101 new confirmed cases and 33 deaths in the previous 24 hours, bringing the national total to 4,945 confirmed cases and 2,325 deaths, with Ituri remaining the overwhelming epicentre, accounting for almost 85% of all confirmed cases. Transmission remains intense and several treatment centres in Ituri and Nord‑Kivu are now approaching saturation, underscoring the urgency of strengthened surveillance, infection prevention, and community engagement. Last week a new province - Bas-Uele, which borders South Sudan - had a new confirmed case.

While there are no current cases in South Sudan or Uganda, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) and other preparedness activities remain important due to the continued risk of cross-border transmission from the DRC. REACH teams in South Sudan and Uganda conducted research to highlight gaps, and opportunities, for strengthening Ebola preparedness across border and mobile communities.

📊 In South Sudan (Yambio, Kajo-Keji, Nimule, and Juba)

• High awareness, but low perceived risk. While most respondents had heard of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), personal risk perception remained low, particularly in Juba.

• Strong demand for information. More than 80% of respondents in Kajo-Keji, and Yambio requested additional information on EVD, highlighting continued information needs.

• Health workers and local leaders emerged as the most trusted sources of information, especially in areas with limited access to radio. The findings also point to gaps in understanding and implementation of screening and reporting systems.

📊 In Uganda, among refugee communities in the North and Western regions, and Kampala:

• Moderate risk perception, with only 57% of respondents considering themselves personally vulnerable to EVD.

• Persistent knowledge gaps around reporting mechanisms and safe burial practices, despite strong awareness of handwashing measures.

• Trusted community channels remain key, with health workers, community health volunteers (CHVs), and community leaders identified as the most credible messengers.

Together, the assessments underscore the need for localized, practical, and trusted RCCE approaches that reflect how communities move, communicate, and seek care.

🔗Access the two reports and more resources about the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak (link in the first comment)

13/08/2026

13/08/2026

A job is often seen as a key marker of successful economic integration for internally displaced people (IDPs). Yet IMPACT’s recent research in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, shows that employment alone does not necessarily lead to economic security.

On 22 July, IMPACT brought together representatives from local authorities, state institutions, and civil society organisations to discuss findings on IDPs’ pathways to stable employment and identify practical recommendations to strengthen employment support and long-term economic integration.

Key takeaways from the research and workshop discussions:

🔹 Job loss following displacement can become a long-term challenge. Nearly one-third of surveyed IDPs who were employed before the full-scale invasion had not returned to the labour market after relocating, despite having lived in Vinnytsia for around four years on average.

🔹 Women with children faced the greatest employment barriers. The challenge was often not a lack of childcare services, but finding jobs compatible with caregiving responsibilities. Flexible working hours were more important than remote or part-time work.

🔹 Labour shortages do not automatically create opportunities for IDPs. Despite reported gaps in skilled trades and service occupations, IDPs with vocational education and experience in these sectors were less likely to regain employment after displacement.

🔹 Returning to work did not necessarily mean financial recovery. Among employed respondents, 60% reported earning less than before displacement, while 63% identified rent as a significant financial burden. As a result, 80% had reduced spending or sought additional income in the previous three months, and 16% had relied on loans or credit.

📄 Read more in our report and presentation (links in the first comment below).

12/08/2026

VEN │ In the aftermath of the 24 June earthquake, IMPACT partnered withthe Global Education Cluster and the Venezuela Education Cluster to assess the impact on education infrastructure across La Guaira, Distrito Capital, and Miranda states.

Drawing on satellite imagery and complementary data sources, the assessment covered 4,476 education facilities. Findings indicate that 74 facilities are likely damaged and 61 are currently being used as shelters. La Guaira was the hardest-hit area, with almost one in five education facilities likely damaged. More than 23,000 people continue to live in temporary camps.

Assessing education facilities is critical to supporting preparedness efforts and preventing disruptions to education.

🔗Access the map through the link in the first comment.

11/08/2026

Just over a year ago IMPACT launched the pilot phase of the Acute Needs Analysis (ANA), a flagship analytical product designed to synthesize available data and provide a concise, actionable understanding of the risk of loss of life across affected geographies and population groups.

Thanks to the hard work of a dedicated team operating across 20 countries, the Acute Needs Analysis has helped support global humanitarian prioritization and strategic decision-making. In 2026, we are taking the next step by launching the second round of the Acute Needs Analysis, informed by lessons learned and an enhanced methodology.

Interested in contributing to humanitarian need analysis with global impact? We are recruiting Analysts and Senior Analysts to join the team.

📝 Apply now: https://buff.ly/MblovDQ

🔗 Read more on the ANA using the link in the first comment.

07/08/2026

04/08/2026

RDC | À la suite de l’escalade du conflit armé dans le territoire d’Uvira en décembre 2025, près de 40 000 personnes déplacées internes (PDI) ont trouvé refuge dans la zone de santé de Nyemba, dans la province du Tanganyika, dont environ 30 000 dans 11 nouveaux sites spontanés de déplacement.

Les équipes REACH ont collecté des données auprès des commerçants du marché de Lubuye à Kalemie afin d’évaluer les dynamiques des marchés et d’éclairer la faisabilité d’interventions en transferts monétaires pour les populations déplacées et retournées affectées par la crise.

📊 Résultats clés:

● L’accès aux marchés reste fortement contraint, principalement en raison de l’éloignement des marchés et des coûts élevés de transport. Par conséquent 72% des ménages doivent marcher plus d’une heure pour atteindre un marché.

● Une intervention cash pourrait réduire certaines barrières d’accès, notamment liées au transport et à l’abordabilité. Selon l’analyse de la Redevabilité envers les personnes affectées (AAP), 80 % des ménages déplacés interrogés préfèrent une assistance en espèces, malgré une couverture limitée de ce type d’aide et un niveau élevé d’insatisfaction, notamment sur le site de Rugigi.

● La capacité d’absorption des marchés reste limitée par des insuffisances de capital, en particulier dans les sites approvisionnés par le marché de Lukombe, avec des risques sur les prix et la disponibilité des produits.

🔎 Retrouvez les briefs et les principaux résultats dans les commentaires.

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DRC | Following an escalation of armed conflict in Uvira Territory in December 2025, nearly 40,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) sought refuge in Nyemba health zone, Tanganyika Province, including approximately 30,000 people living across 11 newly established spontaneous displacement sites.

REACH teams collected data from traders at Lubuye Market in Kalemie to assess market dynamics and inform the feasibility of cash-based interventions for displaced and returnee populations affected by the crisis.

📊 Key findings:

● Access to markets remains highly constrained for assessed displaced households in the Nyemba health zone, mainly due to the distance to markets and high transportation costs. As a result, 72% of households must walk for more than one hour to reach a market.

● A cash intervention could help reduce access barriers, particularly those related to transportation costs and affordability constraints. According to the Accountability to Affected People (AAP) analysis, 80% of surveyed displaced households preferred cash assistance, despite limited access to such support and high dissatisfaction levels, particularly in Rugigi.

● Market absorption capacity remains limited due to capital shortages, particularly in sites supplied by the Lukombe market, increasing the risk of pressure on prices and product availability.

🔎 Access the assessment briefs and key results in the comments

This activity is part of a broader multisectoral emergency response implemented by IMPACT in partnership with Acted RDC and Médecins Du Monde Belgique; and funded by OCHA DR Congo, OCHA Funds.