IRI DRC meet with medical leaders in Equateur, holds training for youth

IRI Equateur and IRI DRC met with the doctors responsible for the Church of Christ’s medical projects in the province and shared information about the mission and mandate of IRI DRC. By establishing the link between human health, forests and zoonotic diseases, the attendees agreed on the physician’s role in raising awareness to preserve rainforests and therefore protect the well-being of local populations. The doctors present agreed to work within IRI DRC to mobilize their peers and requested a training session to allow for effective advocacy and outreach.  IRI DRC also held a training for youth of the Church of Christ in Congo and the Catholic Church.  The training covered the importance of forests to biodiversity, climate, jobs and livelihoods, and community health, and provided a basis on which youth can mobilize other youth groups and develop a work plan to protect local forests.