Strengthening health infrastructure for ebola defense (SHIELD)

The Department of State Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration awarded Catholic Relief Services - United States Conference Of Catholic Bishops $5 million on June 17, 2026, under the Overseas Refugee Assistance Programs for Africa (CFDA 19.517) to strengthen health infrastructure for Ebola defense in the Democratic Republic of the Congo under the SHIELD project. Performance occurs in Kinshasa, with an ultimate completion date of October 16, 2026. The award is a Project Grant assistance type.

CRS-USCCB engages sub-recipients to implement field activities across the SHIELD project. Sub-grantees include Caritas Developpement Du Diocese De Bunia Asbl (Ebola response implementation), Farm Radio International Radios Rurales Internationales (Ebola response in Ituri province), Trocaire (Ebola response in Ituri province), Caritas Developpement Wamba (Ebola response implementation), and Transcultural Psychosocial Organization DRC (Ebola response implementation). Sub-agreements were executed between July 10 and July 14, 2026. The program supports basic life-sustaining resources for refugees and conflict victims across Africa, with NGO partners delivering specialized assistance in health care, water, sanitation, and food distribution aligned with SPHERE standards and U.S. policy priorities.