Ben Affleck Forms a Congo Line

Actor launches Eastern Congo Initiative to help people of the troubled African region

We know it can be confusing.

Ben Affleck isn't heading to Dancing With the Stars—that's the conga!—he's launching the Eastern Congo Initiative.

The group is being created to advocate and offer grants to help the people of the troubled Central African nation build a successful and sustainable society, according to the announcement. This is the first group of its kind working for the region. In addition to lending his name to the cause, Affleck has brought together several other major partners to help provide opportunities for the country's development.

Affleck and his partners will be helping the people find support for survivors of rape and sexual violence, the reintegration of child soldiers into their communities, community-level peace programs and increased access to health care.

"The situation in eastern Congo has been neglected for far too long—it is one of the worst humanitarian tragedies in the world," Affleck said in a statement today upon returning from a five-day trip to the region.

"Right now, the attention paid to this crisis doesn't match the needs of those affected by it. We will raise that attention level, and work with the extraordinary Congolese people who are making a positive difference in their own communities."

Faida Mitifu, the ambassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the United States, congratulated ECI on its launch. "The Eastern Congo Initiative will help to bring much-needed attention to a region that has suffered for too long," he said. "We applaud Ben and the founding members for their foresight and commitment and look forward to working closely with the Eastern Congo Initiative. "

Hear, hear!