CARE has actively pushed for increased attention to the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the United States, playing a lead role in shaping and advocating for the passage of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act (S.2125) of 2006. This legislation outlined U.S. policy for increased and sustained engagement with the country as it emerges from a decade of conflict and seeks to improve the lives of its citizens.
More than 300 CARE Action Network (CAN) members urged their members of Congress to support the legislation during visits to Capital Hill during CARE’s National Advocacy Conference in 2006. CAN continued advocacy work throughout the year through emails, phone calls and in-district meetings with their elected representatives. Congress passed the DRC Act in the final hours of the 109th Congress, and it was signed into law by President Bush on December 27, 2006.
Subsequently, CARE has pushed for greater efforts at all levels to halt sexual violence in the DRC, including support for the International Violence Against Women Act in the US Congress.
CARE continues to engage on the implementation of the DRC legislation and in educating CAN members and U.S. policymakers regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the DRC. CARE recently provided in-depth feedback to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which is writing a report assessing U.S. progress in accomplishing the 15 policy goals laid forth in the DRC Act. CARE has also collaborated with other concerned organizations to develop Congo Global Action, an international advocacy coalition focused on drawing attention to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian issues in the country.
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