Fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has escalated dramatically since August, forcing over 250,000 people to flee their homes in recent weeks. Renewed violence between is exacerbating suffering and increasing poverty and insecurity.
In addition to crowded refugee camps, thousands are "invisibly" displaced people who have found shelter with families that opened their homes to help the fleeing strangers. The caring strangers are now struggling to cope with the strain on their meager resources. The massive influx of people can double or triple the need for firewood, clean water and adequate shelter for long periods of time, causing the surrounding environment to suffer.
Presbyterian World Service & Development (PWS&D) is responding to this suffering resulting from the conflict in the DRC through the Action by Churches Together (ACT) international network. The response will support 55,000 people, including internally displaced people, returnees and host communities by providing:
- safe, clean water, rebuilding water supplies and sanitation facilities, and conducting hygiene awareness sessions
- seeds and tools to improve food security
- nutritional support to combat child malnutrition
- psychosocial support and trauma healing
- other essential supplies
Urgent need for your prayers and donations
Please pray for the thousands of people affected by the fighting in the DRC and help ensure relief is available. Your donations are needed to help families recover from the conflict. Make a donation online, mail donations directly to the office, donate through your church or call PWS&D today at 1-800-619-7301, ext. 291. Please indicate "Congo Relief" on the donation.