DRC: North Kivu: From Goma, sister Giovanna for refugees, children and AIFO
"We have had two terrible days, in
which the national army looted and carried out executions and violations
of all sorts. There is uncertainty, fear... we pray that the war ends soon!"
wrote from Goma, capital of North Kivu, east Democratic Republic of Congo,
Sister Giovanna Gallicani, collaborator of Project AIFO (Italian Association
Friends of Raoul Follereau) for children, launching an appeal for the assistance
of the people fleeing the war zones. "The incessant exodus of the
displaced that have abandoned their villages - says an AIFO statement
- almost all torched, extends like a river toward Goma that can no longer
meet the needs of the population. They are two-million people camped in
makeshift assistance sites where everything is lacking: food, water and
medicine. Since 2004 AIFO has worked with the Fathers of Charity of the
Mental Health Center of Goma, which each year hosts, protects and cares
for 750 children until the age of 14. They are children with neuropsychiatric
problems lined to war traumas. Many areas of the Democratic Republic of
Congo have lived in a constant situation of war for over 14 years, though
the camera lights of the public opinion have only turned on in these past
days. Wars like that of DR-Congo, with a level of widespread violence on
the defenceless population, leave in their paths thousands of seriously
traumatised children for having personally experienced violence or witnessed
violence against their families. The Mental Health Center established an
apposite section to assist them on a medical psychiatric level, but also
educational and social. The Children's Ambulatory also treats epilepsy.
Due to the dramatic humanitarian situation, the number of children arriving
at the Center has tripled in the past weeks and because of the closing
of the borders with neighbouring Rwanda, the Fathers have run out of medical
supplies, with grave consequences also for the children already in care.
The Small Daughters Congregation of the nearby Ndosho parish, to which
Giovanna belongs, collaborates with the Center and is assisting all the
people camped in the area in hope of receiving help. Unfortunately everything
is lacking and providing supplies is difficult. Through its national coordination
office in Kinshasa, directed by Freddy Sanduku, AIFO - conclude the note
- will provide the Mental Health Center of Goma with basic necessities
and medicine. More than 2,000 children are in need of food, water, blankets
and medical care".
[BO]