Assessment of the impact of the Lord's Resistance Army on formerly abducted children and their communities in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

This report synthesizes voices from those who currently face the daily threat of LRA violence and represents one of the first efforts of an academic institution, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) in collaboration with an international nongovernmental organization, Discover The Journey (DTJ), to document the effects of the LRA on the region using accounts of those currently affected, including former LRA abductees and their families, as well as community leaders, women’s groups representatives, and local and international organizations. This report focuses on better understanding community vulnerabilities to LRA violence; the nature and types of violence being perpetrated; which groups are most vulnerable to violence and its sequelae; the challenges of reintegrating returning LRA abductees; and community protection mechanisms that can be reinforced. In order to achieve these objectives while working within the constraints of a limited timeline, this work draws on thirty-three semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted in four communities in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that are highly exposed to LRA violence. The research instrument was created based on informational interviews with NGO staff and community members in affected areas, and refined after pilot interviews in Dungu.