Françoise’s new house in the village of Saliboko, 15 February 2023. Photo: IOM

IOM has provided access to durable solutions to thousands of households who were displaced and living in Mukuku, Kalenge, Cinquantenaire, Kalonda, and Kalunga displacement sites. Many of these households faced eviction and had nowhere safe to go. Since many couldn't afford to leave without assistance, IOM supported the implementation of durable solutions, providing these households with transport  and cash assistance, to help them settle and rebuild their lives in the location of their choice. This is part of IOM’s durable solutions project, funded by ECHO. 

To ensure that the durable solutions met everyone's needs and preferences, IOM conducted intention surveys, go-and-see visits, and come-and-tell sessions prior to departure. By providing the displaced households access to these durable solutions, IOM not only helped them find a safe and secure place to live but also provided them with the resources they needed to rebuild their lives. The housing assistance in the form of cash, in particular, played a crucial role in restoring the households' dignity and providing a stable foundation for their future. 

Meet Françoise, a former internally displaced person from the Kalenge displacement site in Kalemie, who has benefited from IOM's durable solutions assistance and relocated to the village of Saliboko. 

After losing her husband and sisters during an intercommunal conflict in 2017, Françoise and her children fled to the Kalenge displacement site, where they lived until 2021. During her time there, Françoise stayed in touch with the villagers of Saliboko, where she used to work on their land. She found the villagers to be welcoming and knew that she wanted to settle there with her family. 

When IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix conducted an intention survey, Françoise expressed her desire to move to Saliboko. However, she couldn't afford to leave the site without assistance to build a new shelter and cover the costs until settling permanently in the new village. With IOM's assistance, Françoise received transportation and cash support to construct a comfortable and durable house in the village. 

Now, a few months after moving to Saliboko, Françoise lives in peace and in much better conditions than during her displacement.