Local Immunization Days (LIDs) are organized in targeted areas to help protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), they play an important role in efforts to stop the transmission of polio, particularly among children who are under-vaccinated or have not yet been vaccinated.
VillageReach is expanding its support alongside health authorities, partners and communities to strengthen Local Immunization Days against polio in DRC. While this is the first time VillageReach has supported the organization of LIDs, it builds on the organization’s broader contributions to polio prevention and response.
VillageReach initially provided financial support for rapid responses to polio outbreaks and later contributed to some National Vaccination Days. With its first support for LIDs, VillageReach is combining technical assistance with financial support to help teams carry out activities on the ground and extend vaccination efforts to communities that can be especially difficult to reach.
In early September 2026, several provinces across DRC mobilized for the campaign. Activities began in Tanganyika and Kinshasa, while teams in Kasaï continued preparations for the launch scheduled for Sept. 15. Across the three provinces, health authorities, community leaders and partners are working together to protect as many children as possible.
In Tanganyika, authorities and communities unite to protect every child
On Sept. 2, Tanganyika province officially launched its Local Immunization Days against polio under the leadership of the provincial governor, with health authorities and several partners in attendance.
Before the official ceremony, a campaign motorcade traveled along Kalemie’s main roads before arriving at Kisthanga Stadium in the Nyemba health zone, where the launch took place.
Campaign motorcade during the launch of the Local Immunization Days in Tanganyika. Photo credit: Marie Nzemangi.
Speaking at the event, Deo Gratias Mabingo Wa Ilunga, acting mayor of Lukuga, urged parents to welcome vaccination teams and work with them to ensure every eligible child is reached.
“We urge parents to welcome vaccination teams and not hide any children from them.”
The acting mayor of Lukuga speaks during the launch of the Local Immunization Days in Tanganyika. Photo credit: Marie Nzemangi.
During the LIDs, all children ages 0 to 59 months are eligible to receive polio vaccination free of charge. The campaign is an important opportunity to strengthen children’s protection and reduce the circulation of poliovirus in the province.
Community involvement is central to that effort — helping identify eligible children, encouraging families to welcome vaccination teams and making sure no child is missed.
A child receives a polio vaccine at Kituku Health Center in the Nyemba health zone. Photo credit: M. Shomari.
In Kinshasa, six health zones join the campaign
In Kinshasa, LIDs are taking place across six health zones, with community outreach designed to build families’ confidence in vaccination and bring services closer to where people live.
On Sept. 3, the mayor of Kalamu launched activities in the health zone by symbolically administering a vaccine.
Freddy Lukoko, president of UCODESA Ngaba, shares his experience as someone affected by polio. Photo credit: Sylvano Nkinzi.
Similar community mobilization activities took place in several other health zones across the capital, including Ngaba, Selembao, Makala and Bumbu.
In Ngaba, the mayor marked the launch by symbolically administering a vaccine. Freddy Lukoko, president of UCODESA Ngaba and a polio survivor, also shared his experience to help parents understand the consequences of the disease and the importance of prevention.
“I had polio myself, so I know the consequences this disease can have for a child and their family. Today, I want to call on every parent to have their children vaccinated. Vaccination is a simple and essential way to protect them from polio and prevent them from experiencing the same suffering.”
— Freddy Lukoko, president of UCODESA Ngaba
In the Makala health zone, coordinators from RTT Afro and the national GPIE attended the launch, reflecting the broad mobilization of partners around the LIDs.
In Bumbu, the mayor also presided over the launch, underscoring the important role local authorities play in engaging communities and building support for vaccination.
A total of 610,646 children were initially targeted across Kinshasa’s six participating health zones. Ultimately, 637,127 children were vaccinated, exceeding the initial target.
In Kasaï, teams prepare to reach children across the province
In Kasaï province, provincial teams and their partners are preparing the key elements of the campaign scheduled for September 15, including community outreach and the operational arrangements needed to reach eligible children.
This preparation is designed to help vaccination activities run effectively and improve access to children living in communities that are especially difficult to reach.
Building on VillageReach’s long-term commitment
Beyond the launch events and community mobilization taking place across the three provinces, the September 2026 LIDs represent another step forward in VillageReach’s commitment to fighting polio in DRC.
For the first time, VillageReach is supporting the organization and implementation of LIDs through a combination of technical expertise and financial assistance. This support strengthens the efforts of health authorities, partners and communities working together to reach eligible children.
But this work is part of a longer-standing commitment. VillageReach already provides financial support for some polio response activities in DRC, including rapid responses to polio outbreaks, and has also contributed financially to some National Vaccination Days.
Supporting LIDs is the latest step in that commitment. It allows VillageReach to support this type of campaign for the first time while continuing to provide technical assistance to health authorities and other partners working on the ground.
Through this combined support, VillageReach aims to help bring vaccination closer to communities and contribute to efforts to reach every child — including those living in the hardest-to-reach areas.
VillageReach and vaccination teams conduct a household visit in Kalemie. Photo credit: Marie Nzemangi.
Together, reaching every child and moving toward a polio-free DRC
The success of Local Immunization Days depends on everyone playing a part: government authorities, health workers, community health workers and leaders, partners, parents and communities.
Together, they are working toward a shared goal: protecting every child from polio and helping move DRC toward a future free from the disease.