Congo’s Hope Amidst Horror - Aid Efforts Bring Lifeline

A deadly and unrelenting humanitarian crisis is unfolding in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Thousands of people have been killed and even more have been displaced from their homes. In one incident at the end of February, 70 civilians were slaughtered in a church by the Islamist Allied Democratic Forces. At the same time, people are running away from the violence being inflicted by the M23 campaign, a rebel group backed by the Rwandan army.

All the while, the Catholic Church of Congo and the Comboni Missionaries — who arrived in Congo in 1963 — are working tirelessly to support these civilians who have lost everything. The missionaries serve in the Butembo-Beni diocese in North Kivu. The worsening situation has outstripped their capacity to intervene. People are thirsty, starving, and injured, without access to medical care.

These missionaries working on the front lines are appealing for help to alleviate the suffering of this war-ravaged population. They are looking to support 100 displaced families by providing basic foodstuffs (fufu, beans fish, vegetables) and facilitating access to healthcare and medicine. For the cost of $5,500 per month for six months, at least 100 families —maybe more — can receive the basic necessities of life to help them survive a seemingly impossible situation.

How did we get here?

The journey towards democracy has been fraught in the Democratic Republic of Congo. After 32 years of dictatorial rule by Mobutu Sese Seko and the rise to power of Laurent Désiré Kabila, the first presidential elections for national and provincial deputies were held in 2006.

A brief moment of hope enveloped the nation, but a new political order has been slow in coming. The political hope was accompanied by a series of social crises. For the past twenty years, very little has changed from a security and humanitarian perspective, especially in the east of the country. And now, with the invasion of the M23 rebel group, backed by the Rwandan army, the situation in eastern Congo is dire. For more than two years, M23 has been fighting the Congolese army.

In recent weeks, fighting has intensified in North Kivu and South Kivu. The rebels now have control of Goma and Bukavu — the capitals of North Kivu and South Kivu, respectively. The estimated death toll sits at over 10,000, with even more people displaced from their homes. People are dying, lacking the basics for survival. The main roads in and out of the cities are cut off, and the airports are closed, making delivery of humanitarian aid nearly impossible. If the situation is not resolved soon, this crisis will only get worse.

Calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, an end to hostilities and the resumption of peace-talks are multiplying. Yet, little progress is being made. Despite calls from the UN and other Western countries calling for an immediate withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese soil, M23 rebels and the Rwandan army continue to gain ground in both Kivus. Throughout the rest of the country, including the capital, Kinshasa, uncertainty is sweeping through the population. The social situation is deteriorating further and further.

The Catholic and Protestant leaders of the country are attempting to relaunch a dialogue process to avoid even more death and suffering. “Our country is in ruins because of a war that condemns thousands of Congolese to displacement, hunger, misery, and trauma of all kinds. Our priority is peace,” declared Monseigneur Donatien Nshole, Secretary of the National Episcopal Conference in the DRC (CENCO).

To support this life-saving mission project donate here, leave a note stating “For Humanitarian Aid in Congo.” You can also call our office at 513-474-4997 or mail donations to 1318 Nagel Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45255. As I ask you to pray for the Congo and for the province, please accept my greetings in the Pierced Heart of Christ the Good Shepherd,” Fr. Justin K. Muvawa implored.

Thank you for your generosity.

Fr. Justin K. Muvawa, mccj and Lindsay Braud
Comboni Missionaries