Crisis Response

A Return to Their Communities

For the last many years, our families from the communities of Katembe and Luhonga, as well as thousands from the other surrounding communities and towns, have been living in two internal displacement camps called Bulengo and Sam-Sam. Although the conditions of the camp have been horrible and less than ideal, these camps have been their home for the last number of years. On February 6th, the M23 rebels issued a statement saying that the camps were to be shut down and that each person had 72 hours to leave and return to their original communities.

Despite the ongoing instability—military violence, food shortages, and the destruction of homes—we are committed to supporting our families as they begin returning to their villages. Hands at Work leaders, together with the local Hands at Work team in Goma, have been working to develop a plan that will allow people to return while mitigating the immense risks they face. The strategy includes preparing Care Points in the communities to function as temporary refugee camps, providing daily meals, and beginning to plant food crops while the season still allows. By some miracle, the Care Points have remained standing despite the chaos of the war.  

On February 14th + 17th, our families from Luhonga and Katembe returned safely to their communities and are in process of rebuilding their lives. The Goma team is moving forward in faith, trusting that God will make a way even in the face of deep uncertainty.

  • Please pray for protection over those who will be returning first. Pray that they will be shielded from harm.

  • Pray for wisdom and discernment for Hands at Work leadership and the Goma team as they make critical decisions.

  • Pray for provision - of food, resources, and the funds needed to sustain this response.

  • Pray for the families who are displaced. Pray that they will experience God’s nearness in their suffering.

  • Pray for peace and stability in Goma and that the violence would cease and communities would be restored.

Next Steps Forward

**The photo above is from the mandatory meeting at the stadium in Goma

On January 29th, we shared the update that the M23 rebels (who are backed by the Rwandan government) had taken control of Goma, the major city located in the north-eastern province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. For many days, there was heavy gunfire, looting, and no electricity or access to water, meaning that Hands at Work leaders were unable to be in contact with our local Hands at Work team in Goma.

On February 3rd, Bindu (the coordinator of the Goma team) was able to connect with Hands at Work leadership and share that he was able to meet in Buhimba community with half of our children, Primary Caregivers, and Care Workers from the Sam-Sam internal displacement camp. This is a huge answer to prayer.

Following that, on February 6th, the M23 rebels called a mandatory meeting at the stadium in Goma for everyone who lives in the city. As a Hands at Work family, we urgently joined hands in prayer, as we know that meetings like these, when everyone is in one place, can become violent situations.

By the grace of God, the meeting went smoothly. The M23 asked people to send their children back to school as soon as possible and shared that all activities and work in government offices should resume as soon as possible. They talked of wanting to bring peace and protect people from violence.

  • Please pray that the M23 rebels will stay true to their word and bring peace to Goma and the surrounding areas.

  • Pray that they will stay true to their word and protect people, not for their own motives, but for the sake of the most vulnerable.

Malawi in the Wake of Cyclone Idai

As a result of Cyclone Idai, many homes were destroyed and many of the communities in Mozambique and Zimbabwe are facing a total loss of their harvest. This will have a devastating impact in the year to come, as many will face a twelve-month-long hunger season.

In Malawi, many homes were destroyed but uniquely, there exists a certain resilience amongst families. All of the families that Hands at Work are serving are currently under shelter, however some of the situations are fragile.

Mildred* and her grandchildren’s house was completely destroyed by Cyclone Idai. Thankfully, she lives on a homestead, typical of families in rural Malawi. While they rebuild, they are able to stay in the home of another family member who lives on their homestead. In communities like Mildred’s, many homes are made with mud bricks which were eroded by the unyielding rains caused by the cyclone. And then, during the night, one of the walls of Mildred’s home fell down. The family scrambled to save what they could before the rest of the home completely collapsed. Today, only the foundation remains.

In Malawi, homesteads are a grouping of small houses on a single property. Extended family live on this property with a communal kitchen shared by everyone. Because the family lives together, the homestead offers some level of resilience. As there are multiple dwellings on one property, families have a place to stay while they come together to rebuild their own homes.

The period between now and October is ideal for building; the rains have ceased and it is currently dry. Families, Care Workers, the local Hands at Work team in Dedza, alongside the Regional Support Team are working to rebuild the houses on homesteads where the worst of the living situations exist. They continue to build resilience, strengthening homesteads and family units.