Why NGO related projects in places like DR Congo & Burkina Faso are so expensive

While I was recently chatting with a potential sponsor for the project in Isiro, DR Congo, I was asked why the project required so much money. This is a pretty common occurrence as most people don’t understand just how big an undertaking these types of projects are. A good chunk of the trip’s expense goes directly to travel costs… Going to some of the furthest & most remote parts of the world is a time consuming/expensive endeavor.

Getting into the Haut-Uélé, DR Congo requires a minimum of 2 long haul flights (USA to Europe followed by Europe to Uganda), then either a privately chartered bush flight or 2 day car ride from Uganda into the Province… Then you do the entire process in reverse heading home after the project is over. Needless to say this adds about a week onto any project where myself & any extra crew can’t be working on other projects…. Below is a small glimpse into the last bit of travel it took for us heading into DR Congo back in 2017.