SAMPLES TO SOLUTIONS

What if the phone in your hand was linked to a war crime?

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the minerals powering our everyday technology are also fueling brutal conflicts.  At Panzi Hospital in the DRC, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr Denis Mukwege and his team treat survivors of conflict related sexual violence (CRSV) every day. Yet many perpetrators escape justice because vital forensic DNA evidence is missing. Without the ability to collect, process, and preserve samples, accountability remains out of reach.

That’s why DNAforAfrica, in partnership with the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Panzi Hospital, has launched Samples2Solutions (S2S), an initiative to build forensic DNA capacity that empowers survivors and strengthens justice systems in conflict-affected regions. The long-term vision is for institutions like Panzi Hospital to establish their own forensic DNA infrastructure, ensuring survivors’ voices are heard and justice...