6/30/2020
For more than two decades, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has suffered conflict, with soldiers and armed rebels both using rape as a weapon. When rape is used as a weapon of war, it often involves brutal violence and may also target young girls whose bodies have not fully developed. This can cause traumatic physical injuries as we as phycological effects like extreme fear, eating and sleep disorders, self-shame, self-blame and self-harm.
Over the past 20 years, Panzi has earned a global reputation as the preeminent treatment center for survivors of sexual violence in conflict. More than 85,000 women suffering from rape- or birth-related complications have been treated by our expert personnel, with thousands also taking advantage of our innovative holistic healing model that enables them to rebuild their lives.
In addition to treating victims of conflict, Panzi’s wide-ranging services ensure that every patient who seeks care receives the treatment they need. Panzi delivers more than 3,500 babies per year with a 99.1% live-birth rate – a staggering achievement in a country with one of the worst mortality rates on record according to the World Bank. Panzi also serves as a general hospital for nearly half a million people, treating everything from broken bones to cancer in a region in dire need of high-quality health care.