Governance

Virunga National Park, established in 1925, operates under the authority of the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN), a branch of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government responsible for safeguarding protected areas. The ICCN oversees five UNESCO-protected sites, including Virunga National Park.

The Virunga Foundation (VF), a UK-based charity founded in 2005, contributes to the park’s protection and sustainable development. Its mission includes conserving the park’s unique flora and fauna while generating benefits for local communities surrounding Virunga National Park.  The Foundation holds the management contract for the Park, which involves working with the ICCN to restore and manage the national park. In 2015, the ICCN and the Virunga Foundation renewed their public-private partnership agreement, extending it until 2040.

On the ground, approximately 1,400 ICCN officers and Virunga Foundation staff collaborate under unified management, with personnel evenly divided between rangers and civilian roles. Most team members work full-time within the DRC.

Virunga’s Rangers

Virunga National Park rangers, as Congolese state agents, are responsible for law enforcement within the park and a 50-kilometer perimeter beyond its borders. Their duties include protecting park staff, tourists, and infrastructure, such as hydroelectric plants, while monitoring and safeguarding the protected area. Rangers combat illegal activities like poaching, deforestation, and illicit fishing seize contraband (e.g., bushmeat and charcoal), and refer offenders to judicial authorities.

The status of the ICCN rangers, which has been the subject of a qualified opinion by the ICRC, establishes that they are not a military or paramilitary force. However, rangers often operate in challenging, conflict-prone environments. This insecurity necessitates specialised training, equipment, and intelligence support, yet their mandate and engagement rules, emphasising gradualness and proportionality, remain unchanged. Rangers also collaborate with armed forces to protect civilians in and around the park, including those in the Lake Edward fisheries.

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Non-Profit Set-Up

To enhance fundraising and public outreach in key markets, the Virunga Foundation is supported by local nonprofit branches in Belgium and the United States.

The Virunga Alliance

The Virunga Alliance embodies a shared vision: the preservation of Virunga National Park, sustainable development to benefit local communities, and the promotion of peace in the region. It represents a vision, an ideal, and a guiding goal, though it does not function as a legal entity.

Several commercial entities play a role in implementing its programs. These companies are designed to support the development of communities surrounding the Park, encourage local entrepreneurship, and ensure sustainable income streams. While privately owned, they operate with a strong commitment to social purpose.

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