“Thanks to the TFV, I am now able to do what others are doing. In life, we must not neglect ourselves and lose hope.” – Q, beneficiary of the programme in the DRC
 

At a glance

Status

Completed in April 2025

Programme period

First phase 2008–2017; second phase launched July 2020

Where

Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu

Who it serves

Victims of crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC, including mutilated victims and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence

People reached

58,439 direct beneficiaries in the first phase; over 20,000 expected in the second phase

 

Background

In April 2002, the DRC ratified the Rome Statute, and in March 2004, referred the situation in its territory since 1 July 2002 to the ICC. The ICC therefore may exercise its jurisdiction over crimes listed in the Rome Statute committed on the territory of the DRC or by its nationals from 1 July 2002 onwards. The DRC made a second referral in May 2023, concerning alleged crimes committed in North Kivu since 1 January 2022.

The ICC investigations in the DRC have focused on alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed mainly in eastern DRC, in the Ituri region and the North and South Kivu Provinces, since 1 July 2002.

In opening the investigation in June 2004, the ICC's Office of the Prosecutor issued a press release acknowledging that alleged crimes were reported since the 1990's, but that the Court's jurisdiction started on 1 July 2002, and stating: "States, international organizations and non-governmental organizations have reported thousands of deaths by mass murder and summary execution in the DRC since 2002. The reports allege a pattern of rape, torture, forced displacement and the illegal use of child soldiers."

The investigation led to a number of cases, which have involved charges that include war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
 

The programme

The TFV launched its first phase of assistance programmes for victims of crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC in 2008. The first phase of the DRC assistance programme cycle ended in 2017.

In July 2020, the TFV launched the second phase of the programme with ten new projects. Its projects have allowed the reintegration and protection of victims in the DRC.

Many other victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the DRC are still in need of assistance, especially with the recent resurgence of the conflict and armed groups in Ituri and North Kivu.

Who the programme is for

People the programme works with directly:

  • Mutilated victims;
  • Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence;
  • Other victims of crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.

People who benefit more widely:

  • Communities taking part in peacebuilding and reconciliation activities.

What the programme delivers

The projects range across a number of sectors:

  • Physical rehabilitation for mutilated victims and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence
  • Psychological rehabilitation
  • School assistance
  • Income-generating activities
  • Community peacebuilding and reconciliation for conflict resolution through non-violence

Results. The first phase (2008–2017) reached a total of 58,439 direct beneficiaries across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. The second phase was expected to reach over 20,000 direct beneficiaries.

TFV reparations programmes in the DRC

Alongside its assistance programme, the TFV implements reparations ordered by the Court in the following cases in the DRC:

Funding

Since 2004, 53 States Parties have contributed at least once to the TFV, for a total of EUR 56 million. Because of the nature of its interventions, contributions to the TFV are ODA-eligible and may be earmarked to a specific country, type of victim or type of activity.

The programme is designed and managed by the Secretariat of the TFV under the supervision of the Board of Directors. The Secretariat is funded from the regular contributions of States Parties, so there are no overheads on the programme and resources go entirely to victims.



Last Update: September 2026.

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