Renewed call for help to the displaced of Eastern Congo
Exclusive pictures sent to the Anglican Alliance by Bishop Bahati Bali–Busane Sylvestre from the Diocese of Bukavu in DRC show the plight of displaced people living in Anglican churches and schools in inhumane conditions.
This is a call for more attention to this neglected humanitarian crisis that is devastating the lives of people in Eastern Congo.
Bishop Sylvestre spoke out about the “pitiful” situation of the thousands of people who have been driven from their homes in north eastern Congo.
“In recent days I visited the displaced people in North Kivu. I saw some of those who are living in the Kanyaruchina camp, in Munigi Anglican Primary School and in Buvira Church building. Their situation is pitiful and needs prayer and any kind of assistance,” he said.
The pictures show people living without proper shelter, children suffering from inadequate food, and children in the host community studying in schools with no desks or chairs because all the furniture has been used for fuel for the displaced people.
Thousands of people have fled from their homes, escaping violence: killings, rapes, looting, property destruction, and child recruitment are causing huge and permanent movement of people. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs there are 320.000 people displaced only in North Kivu since April 2012.
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