Appeals
ABM is hoping to raise $5,000 to provide emergency food rations to many of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Eastern Congo.
We are accepting donations on behalf of the Anglican Church of Congo. This campaign is tax-deductible.
HOW TO DONATE
- You can donate online by selecting Congo: Crisis Relief from the project drop down list.
- Send a cheque/money order made out to the Anglican Board of Mission to: Anglican Board of Mission – Australia, Locked Bag Q4005, Queen Victoria Building, NSW 1230
- Alternatively, you can phone 1300 302663, Sydney 02 9264 1021 or email us at info@abm.asn.au
Full details are on the Anglican Alliance website: http://www.anglicanalliance.org/news/item/?n=15574
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NEWS & UPDATES
10/12/12 Latest Report from Bukavu Diocese
The Anglican Alliance received a report from the Diocese of Bakavu about the emergency assistance they are providing to the many internally displaced people and an update on the situation in the DRC. View the PDF here.
30/11/12 Congo needs international aid
A report on CNN's website tells of the desperate plight of thousands of displaced people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
02/10/12 - Bishop and many others displaced
The latest report from Bishop Sylvestre from the Diocese of Bukavu has been most distressing. Due to the dangerous situation in the DRC, he and others have been forced to move away from the parish and are now displaced in Mungbere, near the border of Uganda.
Bishop Sylvestre wrote, "We have been attacked at our parish on the night of Wednesday 26 this week, few people died and we have moved to the Mungbere in the border of Uganda. These areas are becoming worse and nobody seems to care. There are many rebels in these areas, some from Rwanda, some from Uganda and the rest are from DR.Congo. Currently killing of innocent people has become like sending a message to Government troops who have failed to protect these citizens."
"Today I sold my car here at Mungbere and (with) all funds we have purchased food in Uganda to save the lives of these people to whom GOD has called me for them, I cannot ran away from them no matter how much it will cost our lives but by His grace I will be there for them."
"So whatever happened to me is fine as I have learnt to carry our Lord Jesus Christ’s cross in my ministry."
Please continue to pray for the Bishop, for the Church and their communities, for displaced persons, for all who are living with uncertainty and fear, for safety and peace to come to this troubled region.
27/09/12 - Funds needed for basic relief items
With the ongoing fighting between various militia groups and military, the number of IDPs is growing and so is the need for emergency relief aid. The Anglican Church there is responding to help these people, especially the vulnerable – women, children and the elderly – with limited resources.
Bishop Sylvestre and his family have had to move from Bishop House as it was attacked and the watchman was killed. He said that travelling is quite restricted due to fears of the rebels and hence they are experiencing difficulty in reaching people. Access to communities in North and South Kivu has been hampered by heavy rains, poor roads and concerns about security.
There have been reports of many spontaneous camps appearing which makes it difficult for aid agencies to keep track of official numbers and even more challenging to provide aid.
Children are among the most vulnerable, living under the threat of forced recruitment by insurgent groups in North Kivu, with health risks and disrupted schooling. Some schools have been destroyed or are being used for shelter. Classes are overcrowded as the number of IDPs rises.(IRIN)
The plight of the people in the DRC has touched the hearts of Australian Anglicans, with the Archbishops of Perth and Brisbane Dioceses expressing their concern and support of the Congo Emergency Appeal.
Funding for ABM's appeal will enable essential food items such as rice, beans and oil as well as soap to be distributed to the hungry and needy.
20/09/12 - News from Bishop Sylvestre
View photographs from Bishop Sylvestre
The Anglican Alliance office has received news and pictures from Bishop Bahati Bali-Busane Sylvestre from the Diocese of Bukavu in DRC where the situation has worsened in the last few weeks.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that there are an estimated two million internally displaced people in eastern DR Congo. This total includes some 220,000 from North Kivu, 108,000 from South Kivu and 62,000 from Orientale who have been forced to flee their homes since April.
Bishop Sylvestre said, “Last week on Saturday, September 15th 2012, 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 extended his thanks to all for the efforts being made to raise funds to assist the victims of this crisis.
As well as the desperate need for emergency aid such as food, water, shelter and medical treatment, many have experienced violence and trauma during the civil unrest. Please continue to support them with your prayers and gifts.
