escapingbabylon.com

If you remember, earlier I had linked to some articles around the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I promised to share more information as soon as I could on how to act. A friend shared this link with me on facebook

World Vision begins relief efforts for displaced in Congo; calls on regional leaders to act

World Vision has re-entered the 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, we continue to call on regional and global leaders to take actions that will protect civilians and address the root causes of the crisis.

On Thursday, our teams plan to begin distributions of family relief kits — including items like blankets, shelter materials, children’s clothing, and soap — to more than 10,000 families.

We plan to reach as many as 25,000 families as soon as security conditions allow, addressing health, sanitation, and protection needs. World Vision’s operations will concentrate in Shasha, Minova, Rutshuru, and Goma. Preliminary information indicates an initial response plan budget of close to $3 million.

Worldvision is an excellent organization that does great work in some very hard places around the world. You can contribute to their efforts in the DRC at the bottom of this page.

On a random blog note. I’ve added a category called Justice and Service, where I’ll put things like this and other issues of social justice and service that I want to talk about. (I have one or two that is waiting in the pipeline)

Hungry displaced people tried to push their way into a USAid centre near Goma.

I turned on BBC News today and saw a couple of articles on the current crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I’ll paraphrase one of the men interviewed who said that when Rwanda happened many of us reacted by saying “Never again.” Now the world has the opportunity to act on its words.

I have much information yet, I’ll see if I can get more info and post later (particularly regarding how to help). In the meantime, feel free to post whatever you know or find out in the comments.  In the meantime, you can read the following links, all from the BBC.

UK calls for urgent aid for Congo (video on page)

And finally a Q & A

Thousands of civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo have fled their homes and are living in desperate conditions following the latest outbreak of violence in the eastern part of the country.

They join an estimated one million already displaced in the region, raising fears of another humanitarian disaster. – BBC NEWS | Africa | Q&A: DR Congo conflict.