A vast country with immense economic resources, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has been at the centre of what some observers call "Africa's world war". This has left it in the grip of a humanitarian crisis. The five-year conflict pitted government forces, supported by Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe, against rebels backed by Uganda and Rwanda.

Despite a peace deal and the formation of a transitional government in 2003, people in the east of the country remain in terror of marauding militias and the army.

The war claimed an estimated three million lives, either as a direct result of fighting or because of disease and malnutrition. It has been called possibly the worst emergency in Africa in recent decades.

The war had an economic as well as a political side. Fighting was fuelled by the country's vast mineral wealth, with all sides taking advantage of the anarchy to plunder natural resources, and some small militias fight on.

According to the 1970 census administrative and scientific 30,731,000 Inhabitants Census 1984 and has over 70 Million today (INS 2009). The annual growth rate is 3.1 %. At this rate, all other conditions being equal, the population of the DRC should double every 23 years. The rapid population growth induces unprecedented demand for basic social services, in terms of infrastructure and services that the country is still unable to meet.

The population of the DRC is young and rejuvenating over 68 % of people aged less than 25 years, a majority of whom live in rural areas (over 60 %). The median age is 21 years passes in 1984 and 15,5 years in 2009. This situation reflects a high degree of dependence of the persons responsible for creating the inability of workers to save. In addition, it causes a significant pressure on social and health infrastructure and the environment. [...]

In spite of its considerable potential, the DRC is classified among the poorest countries of the world. Job insecurity and unemployment hit 90% of the active population, particularly young people and women, who are in the informal sector, which was 60% during the year ended 80 represent over 80 % of GDP in the early years 90.

The majority of households are unable to ensure minimum food, health care and schooling for their children. The bulk of the population is engaged in agriculture. Certain groups of the population live mainly by hunting, gathering, animal husbandry and fisheries. The country is sparsely industrialized. Despite this generalized poverty, the state has disengaged basic social services to the point of giving parents the total responsibility of education and medical care. Poverty is the main determinant of sex, early pregnancies and the spread of STIs / HIV / AIDS.

Reproductive health of young people in particular is characterized by induced abortions, often fatal, affecting 30 % of teenagers, a high and possibly increasing fertility due to the high proportion of young people under the age of 2 years. 20 % of teens and 30% have abortions each year. Reflecting a precocious sexuality, intense and low contraceptive coverage: 3.4% of the age of 8 years and 57% at the age of 17 years and 79% at the age of 19 years. This precocity is higher in rural than in urban areas.

Adolescents and youth have been the main victims of armed conflicts that the DRC has experienced in the last ten years. Several youth and adolescents were forcibly enlisted in the armed groups. Thousands more were traumatized because of violence and rape they suffered or endured by their parents in their presence. The phenomenon of sexual slavery singularly affects girls and women.

Moreover, the disappearance or death of parents turns teenagers  prematurely in to heads of families, and forcing them to abandon school. Some young people finally have severe psychological disorders, malnutrition and others died in appalling conditions.