ReMiDi: Reaching the Unreached with Lifesaving Vaccines in the DRC
In the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where families have been uprooted by years of conflict and crisis, life still finds a way. Children are born. Mothers hold them close. And even in displacement—amid shelters, camps, and uncertainty—parents strive to keep their little ones safe.
But protection from vaccine-preventable diseases often remains out of reach.
In North and South Kivu provinces, millions of refugees, migrants, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) face extraordinary challenges accessing healthcare. Distance, misinformation, and lack of culturally relevant information continue to create gaps in immunisation coverage.
At Corona Management Systems (CMS), we believe that no child should be left behind especially not in moments of crisis. That's where the ReMiDi Project comes in.
What is ReMiDi?
ReMiDi—short for Refugees, Migrants, and Displaced—is a public health research initiative led by CMS and funded by Sabin Vaccine Institute. Its mission is simple but urgent: understand the unique barriers and opportunities to improve immunisation uptake among displaced populations in the DRC.
Using Time-Location Sampling (TLS) — a method tailored to reach high-mobility populations — the project gathers insights from IDP camps, refugee communities, and migrant groups, including miners, herders, fishermen, and truck drivers. It focuses on how caregivers understand, seek out, and act on vaccine information.
What We're Learning from the Field
💉 "Why does my child get sick after a vaccine?"
Many caregivers know that vaccines prevent disease, but fear of side effects like fever or discomfort can still drive hesitation. Without clear, accessible information about what to expect after immunisation, trust is easily shaken.
- Our Response: ReMiDi is designing SBCC materials to educate communities on AEFI (Adverse Events Following Immunisation) and offer guidance on simple care steps like using paracetamol to manage fever so that fear doesn't outweigh protection.
📣 "We only trust people we know."
In these communities, trusted messengers matter. Town criers, community nurses, religious leaders, and camp coordinators are the go-to sources for guidance, not always health workers or national media.
- Our Response: We're collaborating with these local influencers to co-create vaccine messaging that is credible, community-driven, and aligned with cultural values.
🛣️ "The clinic is too far. We walk for hours."
In mining regions especially, geographic access remains a serious challenge. Many caregivers simply can’t afford the transport or time required to visit distant health facilities.
- Our Response: These findings are driving advocacy for mobile outreach services, and the placement of immunisation points closer to where families live.
✝️ "Our pastor encourages us to vaccinate."
Faith-based support is already playing a role in some communities. Religious leaders are using sermons and communal spaces to speak about the importance of vaccines—building new social norms.
- Our Response: We're equipping faith leaders with tailored SBCC tools to reinforce these messages, turning moments of worship into opportunities for life-saving awareness.
What's Next: Messaging with Purpose
As ReMiDi enters its next phase, we are focused on three core questions:
- Who do caregivers trust most to deliver health messages?
- What messages resonate with their concerns, values, and realities?
- Which channels—radio, SMS, posters, in-person events—work best to reach them where they are?
Answering these questions will allow CMS and its partners to develop targeted, evidence-based interventions that build vaccine confidence and close the coverage gap for displaced families.
A Path Toward Equity in Immunisation
ReMiDi is more than a research project—it's a commitment to dignity, equity, and inclusion. By deeply listening to caregivers and co-designing solutions that reflect their lived experiences, CMS is helping to ensure that every child, everywhere, is protected.
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