Supporting Families Impacted by Violence in the DR Congo

Episcopal Relief & Development Web StatementAugust 8, 2017

Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with the Diocese of Kasai, Province of Anglican Church of Congo to support 90 families impacted by violence in the Grand Kasai provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Approximately 1.4 million people, including 800,000 children, have been forced from their homes due to increased clashes between government forces and tribal militia. Women and children constitute the majority of those in need of clean water, clothing, food and health services. Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with the Diocese of Kasai to provide maize, beans, palm oil, clothing, first aid and medications, and water purification.

Violence has forced more Congolese to flee their homes so far this year than in Iraq or Syria, with a total of almost 4 million Congolese displaced, more than any other country in the region. Fighting between government forces and tribal militia has escalated since 2016, with widespread reports of 3,000 people killed and mass graves throughout the country. According to Médecins Sans Frontières, in under a year, Grand Kasai “has transformed from a peaceful area in a troubled country to the epicentre of one the most serious humanitarian crises in the world.”

Please pray for families and communities impacted by the political unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Donate to the International Disaster Response Fund to enable Episcopal Relief & Development to help areas in conflict like the Democratic Republic of Congo.