More news of the troubles in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This time from Tear Fund:
Everything about the Democratic Republic of Congo is big. Physically, the country outsizes Western Europe. It has masses of natural resources including gold, silver and uranium.
But when it comes to politics, its problems are truly gargantuan. Since 1998 more people have died there due to violence, disease or hunger than in any conflict since the Second World War.
Conflict has been stalking the eastern province of North Kivu afresh in recent weeks throwing up a massive amount of misery in its wake.
Some 250,000 people have fled their homes as rebel and government forces have battled it out, killing and injuring countless civilians who have got in their way.
Standing with the people
The local church is also in these affected communities and Tearfund is supporting its humanitarian response through our emergency appeal.
Three long-term partners are working to ease people’s suffering not just physically but psychologically and spiritually.
HEAL Africa, which runs medical and development programmes, is treating the injured and wounded and staff are also distributing food and other essentials in Goma, Rutshuru and Masisi.
Fellow partner PPSSP is looking to use its expertise in providing water and sanitation, two things at a premium for many of the displaced who are living in refugee camps where the word basic does not do justice to the level of facilities.
They are also establishing feeding programmes for children at risk of malnutrition near Goma and in Lubero territory.
Psychological support
Another partner is PEAC, the medical and relief department of the Anglican Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has experience of running health centres. Its people will be working with PPSSP in Lubero on medical care and providing shelter.
In all Tearfund partners are looking to assist 15,000 of the most vulnerable people and the need for their psychological and pastoral support cannot be underestimated.
The country’s combatants have a history of using rape as a weapon of war and the reports of atrocity and torture are already starting to stack up from this latest bout of blood-letting.
The global church is making the case for peace in the face of such horrors. Church leaders from Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo have taken their peace message to Joseph Kabila, the latter country’s president.
Yet even if there is peace tomorrow, the legacy of this conflict will take years to deal with, which makes your prayers and support for our work to ease the plight of the long-suffering Congolese people all the more vital.
Prayer & giving
Tearfund has launched an appeal to respond to the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Please give generously. Your money will enable us to help civilians caught in the middle of this conflict. Click here to give.
Pray for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Download our prayer PowerPoint.
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Sublime - Dans Tes Parvis.
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