Update: Crisis in Congo

• Now is the time for sustainable peace in Eastern Congo

  Posted: Monday, 16 February 2009

  Monday, 16 February 2009

  Conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is affecting hundreds of thousands of civilians, especially children. 

  World Vision has warned that root causes of the crisis must be tackled if there is to be sustainable peace.

  In a statement to United Nations Humanitarian Chief, John Holmes, World Vision reasserted its concern for those affected, especially children. More death and displacement will be an inevitable result of the the joint operation by the Rwandan and Congolese governments against the predominantly Hutu rebel group, the FDLR.

  World Vision said that any military action will only increase the suffering and vulnerability of local people who have lived through decades of war.

  

   

  "At this crucial time, when local people hope and call for peace, it is the responsibility of all military groups, as well as the international community, to respond and finally tackle the real causes of this protracted conflict," said ...

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• Protection of vulnerable people must be top priority in Eastern Congo

  Posted: Thursday, 22 January 2009

  On Tuesday 20 January thousands of Rwandan troops entered eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of a joint military offensive with the Congolese army against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a mainly Hutu group accused of taking part in the 1994 Rwanda genocide. As Rwanda and DRC join forces against rebel militias, World Vision warned that protection of civilians must be the priority.

  "Imminent violence may mean more deaths and displacement for people affected by decades of war," said Emergency Director for World Vision east DRC, Bekele Hankebo.

  

  
  

   

  The people of eastern DRC have faced brutal conflict, rape, multiple displacements, and recruitment into armed groups for more than a decade; their safety and protection must now come first, said the agency.

  "Tens of thousands of people remain displaced from their homes," said Hankebo. "Any further outbreaks of violence threaten to push vulnerable families ...

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• Relief efforts continue amid fears of cholera outbreak and renewed fighting

  Posted: Monday, 8 December 2008

  World Vision’s emergency response to the renewed fighting in eastern Democratic of Congo (DRC) continues to expand, as reports of cholera outbreaks emerge from squalid camps for internally displaced people.

  Hundreds of people around Rutshuru are reported to be suffering from the highly infectious disease, which flourishes in the chaotic surrounds of overcrowded camps.

  According to Chris Webster, World Vision’s spokesperson in Goma, sanitation – along with shelter and food – are a priority.

  

  
  

   

  “World Vision will work on water and sanitation programs for more than 40,000 people in the next two months,” said Webster. “Already packages including jerry cans and soap, as well as blankets, kitchen utensils, a tarpaulin, mosquito nets and mats have been provided to more than 20,000 people. Distributions for a further 30,000 people are planned.”

  “In addition, $115,000 worth of medication has been distributed to four hospitals in Goma. The medication will treat malaria, ...

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• Child malnutrition soaring in Eastern Congo

  Posted: Thursday, 20 November 2008

  The number of children suffering from severe malnutrition in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is rising dramatically as a result of increased conflict. In one hard-hit area, World Vision estimates the number of children under the age of five suffering from malnutrition has increased tenfold.

  Before the conflict, nutrition experts were admitting one or two malnourished children per day to the World Vision nutrition centre in Rwanguba, east of Rutshuru. Since fighting devastated rebel-held territory near Rutshuru, between eight and ten children have been arriving every day.

  

   

  "The cause of malnutrition used to be poverty," said Suzanne Kahamba, a local nurse working at the centre. "But now so many people are displaced, they don’t have land to grow crops. The conflict has intensified the effects of poverty ten times over and the situation has become dire."

  This week, World Vision’s emergency team was able to deliver therapeutic food ...

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• World Vision begins relief efforts for thousands of displaced in DRC

  Posted: Friday, 7 November 2008

  World Vision has re-entered eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to begin assessing and serving the relief needs of tens of thousands of people displaced by the most recent outbreak of fighting in the area. At the same time, World Vision continues to call on regional and global leaders to take actions that will protect civilians and address the root causes of the crisis.

  

   

  The current fighting is affecting more than 250,000 people. Up to 50,000 people have been displaced in the past week, adding to the 1.4 million who were already displaced by the decade-long conflict.

  World Vision plans to begin distributions today of family relief kits—including items like blankets, shelter materials, children's clothing and soap—to more than 10,000 families. World Vision plans to reach as many as 25,000 families as soon as security conditions allow, as well as address health, sanitation and protection needs with operations in ...

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• Thousands flee renewed fighting in Eastern Congo and World Vision evacuates staff

  Posted: Thursday, 30 October 2008

  Thousands of internally displaced people have fled the Kibumba region of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this week where fighting is ongoing. The displaced include sick people, elderly women and young children.

  "Some of the people we spoke with said they were very hungry, had not eaten any food and did not know where they were going," said Michael Arunga, World Vision's Africa Emergency Communications Adviser. "Most said they had lost all their property, leaving it behind when fleeing from the fighting."

  Many of the people walking along the road lived in a camp for internally displaced people in Kibumba, 30 kilometres from Goma.

  

   

  Arunga was part of a World Vision team to visit the Kibumba camp on 27 September. "Sporadic gunfire could be heard very close to the camp, an indication that fighting is ongoing. Heavily armed men stood guard along the way. A military vehicle filled ...

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• World Vision evacuates staff

  Posted: Thursday, 30 October 2008

  World Vision staff in Goma evacuated across the border into Rwanda on Wednesday amidst rapidly deteriorating security conditions in the city.

  Arunga reported from the calm but crowded Rwandan border that eight international World Vision staff members have arrived there safely from Goma and World Vision Congolese staff have returned to their families in Goma.
  Another 18 World Vision staff members stationed in Rutshuru — a town about 70 kilometres north of Goma that was overrun by rebels on Tuesday — are taking shelter in the local compound of the United Nations peacekeeping force after evacuation plans failed.

  WV Africa Vice-President Wilfred Mlay said: "We remain very concerned about the humanitarian crisis faced by people in Goma and Rutshuru, and we call on the international community to do all it can to ensure their safety, along with an immediate cease fire that will allow full access to them by humanitarian agencies including World Vision."
  World Vision will set up an operational base inside Rwanda and ...

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