A log barge travels down the Lukenie River to Kinshasa. Many people use the barges to travel to the city with goods to sell in markets. The DRC’s rainforests are critical for its inhabitants, who depend upon the rainforests to provide essential food, medicine, and other non-timber products, along with energy and building materials. Logging is viewed by the World Bank and other donors as a way to alleviate poverty and promote economic development.