Post-assault sexual and reproductive health practices by women victims of sexual violence in DR Congo

Relevance This project’s relevance can be associated with three levels: – Saving lives of local population that is exposed to several risks as a consequence of lack of appropriate civil protection systems. The project will hopefully fuel policy discussions on orientations for improvement of people’s protection against hazards, disasters and other sufferings.     – Protecting EU citizens: Europeans are also increasingly vulnerable to emergencies, both natural and man-made disasters. In 2009, about 300 000 of them were in need of consular services due to emergencies. It is safer for them to be in places where there exist some kinds of acceptable disaster response capacity.  – Promote cost-effectiveness of EU interventions in emergencies abroad: it is obvious that it is cheaper for the EU to intervene in a country equipped with adequate civil protection capacity (institutions and trained staff) than having to fly in both equipment and staff. Enhancing local systems is therefore cost-effective for the EU both as community and as individual countries.