BMS World Mission

Congo crisis – update 04/12/2008

Congo crisis

 

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.

 


On Wednesday (3 December), UK church leaders issued a joint statement calling for an end to the crisis in Congo. In it they said: “We recognise the contribution of church leaders in the region, who are trying to think, pray and act together to address the complex regional dimensions of the crisis, and the role of churches in UK, in helping to bring this issue to the attention of Christians and the wider public in Britain.


“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.”

01/12/2008 Increased fighting has shattered two weeks of relative peace in eastern D R Congo.

A ceasefire negotiated a fortnight ago was broken as rebel troops attacked Congolese and Rwandan militia allies of the government. Thousands of refugees were forced to flee east, across the border into Uganda.

Meanwhile, on Friday (28 Nov), the United Nations began relocating 65,000 people from camps only a few hundred metres from the frontline in Kibati, near Goma.

Altogether, it is estimated that 250,000 people have been displaced by fighting since August, bringing the total number of internally displaced people in the province to one million.

BMS World Mission has already given a relief grant via trusted partners to help those affected by the crisis in Congo. Your support can help us respond again. Click here to donate today to the BMS Relief Appeal. Thank you.


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.

It has been estimated that 80 per cent of Baptist pastors and worshippers living in the province of North Kivu have fled because of fighting.

 

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.


 

Old lady carries belongings Credit: MONUC/Marie Frechon
An estimated 250,000 people have already fled their homes in North Kivu in the past three months. Many must sleep out in the open.

 

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.

 

Aid agencies are beginning to get people and resources to the area, but fighting makes the operation almost impossible.

We’re helping. Will you?

BMS World Mission has a rich heritage in D R Congo. For 120 years, we’ve been sending workers to, and supporting partners in, the country.

 

Our past there means we are able to respond today and bring hope for tomorrow.

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.

 

On the move Credit: MONUC/Marie Frechon
Much more needs to be done in eastern Congo. Your support means that we can be in the position to respond again.

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.

 

To promote the Appeal in your church, download the PowerPoint found in the right-hand column. Click here and here for more information about Congo. There is also a useful Q&A about the conflict on the BBC website. Click here for that.

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