Hopes that the fighting will end in eastern D R Congo improved today as the country’s foreign minister held talks with his Rwandan counterpart in Goma.
The conflict between rebel groups and government troops – as well as pro-government militia – has left 250,000 people homeless in recent months alone, and there is a desperate need for basic provisions for them.
The United Nations’ World Food Programme food agency yesterday announced that it is increasing its humanitarian operations in the region.
Other aid agencies are doing the same. BMS has used trusted local partners to send one significant relief grant to Congo already.
Please help us to respond again by giving to our relief appeal. Click here to donate.
You’ll find more information in the previous updates below, and a PowerPoint about the situation can be downloaded using the link on the right. It’s ideal for use in your church this Sunday.
“Pray for a lasting political solution to this crisis, which addresses the persistent and underlying issues of justice, human rights, the integration of rebel forces into the national army and the management natural resources.”
You’ll find more information in the 27 November update below, and a PowerPoint about the situation can be downloaded using the link on the right.
Robert Bruce Paden of the Evangelical Community of Baptist Churches of Eastern Congo says, “The Baptist church community has been devastated by the war.”
27/11/2008 A humanitarian crisis is quickly unfolding in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Despite the country’s civil war ending five years ago, conflict has continued since then close to the borders with Rwanda and Uganda.
January’s peace deal was broken in August, and the fighting has broken out again in recent months between rebel groups and government troops, as well as pro-government militia.
Caught in the middle are many tens of thousands of ordinary people.
It brings the total number of internally displaced people in the province to one million – 20 per cent of the population.
There are reports of horrific atrocities and human rights offences against civilians, such as mass rape, abduction and children being forced to fight. Malnutrition and disease on a mass scale are a real concern.
Two weeks ago, BMS sent an initial relief grant of £16,000 via trusted partners, which is providing food, medicine, blankets, shelter and counselling for those displaced by the conflict.
The money is being channelled through local Baptist partner organisations.
Click here to donate now to the BMS Relief Appeal. You can be assured that your money will go directly to those in greatest need. Thank you.