Socio-economic crisis, corruption, social disorder and war are holding back the development in the Democratic Republic of Congo for years now. As a result of unemployment, violence and uncertainty, countless people from all parts of the population have migrated from the countryside to the city. The agriculture fields have been destroyed and people have been deprived of their sources of income. The situation has not changed over the years; as a result of the continuing uncertainty and the increasing poverty, the access to health becomes more and more difficult. HealthNet TPO is working in 3 regions: in the northern part of the Kivu province, in the North-eastern part of the country, in the Kasai provinces and around Kinshasa, the capital of the country.

In July 2005, the Burundians chose a new president, Mr. Peter Nkurunziza, who was the candidate of the movement CNDD-FDD (a Hutu rebels group) when the elections took place. During his oath-taking ceremony, he swore to guarantee the integration of ethnic groups as well as the stability in the country. The political situation stabilized slightly, although some incidents still occur, particularly in the provinces around Bujumbura City.

A minority of the Hutu rebels group, the FNL, causes these incidents. The FNL was the only movement that did not sign the peace agreements that time. In June 2006, FNL started negotiations with the new government. However, up to now, there is no official ceasefire, as there is still fighting in some places between the government forces and the FNL movement. This does not stop the reconciliation though and rebuilding activities are already in progress.