A line of internally displaced persons waiting for aid in Kibati, 12 km north of Goma. Photo by ACT International. In January 2008, the international community succeeded in bringing the different armed groups in eastern DRC together to agree on a cease-fire and to engage in a peace process called “AMANI." However, cease-fire violations have been commonplace since the signing of the Goma agreement in January.
In late August, full-fledged fighting broke out in Masisi between government and rebel forces and in late October, and an offensive by the rebel group Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP) led to tens of thousands of families fleeing from their homes. An estimated 250,000 people have been displaced since the fighting intensified in August.
Internally displaced persons (IDP) camps around the now CNDP-controlled Rutshuru area have reportedly been looted and destroyed. The nearly 50,000 IDPs that previously occupied these camps have been dispersed to areas where they are even more difficult for humanitarian actors to reach. Instead of settling in camps, schools and churches, people are currently hiding in host families in fear of retaliation against “visible” IDPs. The solidarity shown by host communities by accommodating thousands of IDPs fleeing from their place of origin has been remarkable notwithstanding the socioeconomic pressure it has exerted on this sector of the population.
Areas most impacted
Continued insecurity in many areas has forced humanitarian organizations to severely limit or cease operations. As a result, many IDPs have spent their nights on bare ground under open sky for a week, without food, shelter, medical and material assistance. In the height of the rainy season, the risk of cholera epidemics, malaria and respiratory diseases are heightened in addition to a hunger crisis that is threatening the displaced populations. Local health centers have been looted and are therefore unable to respond to the needs of both displaced people and host communities. Some IDPs that camped around Goma for nearly a week with no assistance have had no choice but to start returning to their home villages where they find their property looted and destroyed.
PDA Response
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is responding to this suffering of families impacted by the violence and displacement resulting from the conflict as a member of Action by Churches Together (ACT) international.
A recent ACT appeal has been issued to help meet the needs of 55,000 people, including internally displaced people, returnees and host communities. The first interventions have concentrated on water supply, food and non-food items assistance, and supply of medicine to the looted medical facilities of the area.
Specific Response
PDA funds to the ACT appeal will help in the:
- Provision of safe water, the rehabilitation and construction of new and/or existing water supply and sanitation facilities and through their improved awareness of safe hygiene practices for 55,000 women, men and children including new and existing IDPs
- Distribution of agricultural inputs (seeds and tools) to 9,650 host community and returnee households for improved food security
- Nutritional support to 4,800 malnourished children
- Psychological and social support and trauma healing to 9,000 IDPs and returnees in the areas of Goma, Rutshuru and Nyanzale.
- Distribution of non-food items to meet the immediate material needs of 2,179 IDPs
What you can do
Many of you are asking how you can help. Complete assessments have just begun. You can help the church in this response:
- Through your prayers.
- Through your generosity. Your contributions provide the resources needed to assist with immediate and long-term recovery needs.
Individuals may give through their local Presbyterian congregation on the secure PC(USA) Web site, or by sending their check to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Individual Remittance Processing
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Please include the special designated giving account DR000088 – Democratic Republic of Congo
Congregations should send donations through their normal mission giving channels. |
