“Relentless bombing and shelling has been heard in all neighbourhoods, heightening fear among the local population and displaced communities alike,” reports a Barnabas contact in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Less than two weeks ago, the rebel group M23 seized control of Goma, the regional capital of DRC’s North Kivu Province. At least 900 people have been killed and more than 2,000 injured in this Christian-majority region.
Nearly three-quarters of a million have been forced from their homes. Many have had to flee more than once, as some camps for displaced people came under attack and others have become dangerously overcrowded
Thousands have been displaced by fighting in north-eastern DRC. Many have no means of shelter, no access to medicines, and no food or clean drinking water
Rebel soldiers are now being redeployed to fight elsewhere in the region – a sign that the bloodshed and destruction has not yet run its course.
And as the fighting continues, the humanitarian needs continue to mount.
No water. No food. No medicine
Many of our brothers and sisters are among those without water, food or medicine.
“Repeated attacks on critical infrastructure, including electrical grids, increasingly paralyse water supply systems, and have left the city without access to safe drinking water,” says one Barnabas project partner.
Another Barnabas partner says that displaced people have sought shelter in schools and church buildings. “These facilities have no water, while food and medication are not accessible.”
Can you help us to meet the needs of those who cannot return to their homes?
“This crisis is unprecedented,” adds a statement from the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA).
“Urgent needs include shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene supplies, food, and medical assistance.”
The Lord’s provision, through you
“Only God can provide the people with His protection and care during this hard time,” concludes the AEA statement.
Our brothers and sisters are looking to the Lord to meet their urgent needs.
And one of the ways in which He provides is through the prayers and gifts of His people.
Our partners have plans to meet the urgent needs of as many people as possible. Could you give to this life-saving work and provide food, water, shelter, medicine and hygiene items for our brothers and sisters in Christ?
Above all, could you pray – for the success of this work, for peace in this troubled land, and that the Lord will supply the needs of His people, as He has promised?
Lord God and Heavenly Father, please bless the work of those seeking in Your name to provide for the displaced and destitute. Please meet the needs of Your people in their time of trial. Please keep their faith strong, and in time bring an end to the conflict that blights their lives – we pray in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
How you can help
£2.90 ($3.50; €3.20) could pay for 2kg of rice
£5.40 ($6.50; €6) could pay for 5kg of beans
£125 ($150; €138) could pay for a comprehensive food package, containing 10kg rice, 20kg beans, 2kg salt, 10 litres of cooking oil, 20kg of maize flour and 18kg nutritious porridge mix for children. This could sustain a family for up to two months
£42 ($50; €46) could pay for a water purification kit
£10 ($12; €11) could pay for a blanket
£50 ($60; €55) could pay for a tent that will provide shelter to a displaced family
£100 ($120; €110) could pay for a medical kit containing antibiotic ointment, bandages and gauze, disinfectant, oral rehydration solution to treat cholera, and three mosquito nets
$5.80 could pay for 2kg of rice
$10.80 could pay for 5kg of beans
$250 could pay for a comprehensive food package, containing 10kg rice, 20kg beans, 2kg salt, 10 litres of cooking oil, 20kg of maize flour and 18kg nutritious porridge mix for children. This could sustain a family for up to two months
$84 could pay for a water purification kit
$20 could pay for a blanket
$100 could pay for a tent that will provide shelter to a displaced family
$200 could pay for a medical kit containing antibiotic ointment, bandages and gauze, disinfectant, oral rehydration solution to treat cholera, and three mosquito nets
