Updates from Goma:
THE CRISIS IN GOMA
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been plagued by decades of war. Hands at Work has been serving in DRC communities devastated by this unrest since 2006. The north-eastern province around the city of Goma has continued to experience the constant threat of rebel attacks and war. The level of violence has increased over recent months, affecting communities where Hands at Work serves, resulting in children and their families having to flee their villages for their own safety. This escalating instability around Goma is highlighting the reality that families in the DRC face. They are fighting for their daily survival.
Hands at Work has a local team on the ground in Goma who are directly responding to this crisis, working around the clock to ensure the children and their families have a safe place to shelter and providing the essentials of daily meals and basic healthcare. The faithful volunteer Care Workers in each of the communities continue to risk their own safety to ensure the children are protected and cared for.
Source: Globe and Mail
Conflict between the Congolese army and M23 rebels has been raging for years, escalating in recent months to a widespread humanitarian crisis. Thousands have been displaced from their homes, food prices have soared, and hunger and disease are widespread. The consistent threat of violence for civilians remains a devastating daily reality.
In the community of Luhonga, the most vulnerable children and their families have had to flee and a temporary refugee camp has been initiated by Hands at Work away from their village. Wherever possible, Hands at Work aim to keep our children away from the larger, informal refugee camps where safety is so compromised and where our children would face many risks. The conditions in the temporary camp established by Hands at Work are far from the relative stability that our Life Centres usually provide for children, however they are essential in keeping children safe and alive and where their Care Workers are present with them. These men and women continue to face immeasurable odds every day as they seek to serve these vulnerable children.
To learn more about villages like Luhonga, please click here
Will you partner with Hands at Work to bring support and stability to the communities in the DRC? The reality of what is happening around Goma is a glimpse at the widespread vulnerability and instability of this war-torn country. Be part of helping us bring relief to the most vulnerable children and communities impacted by this crisis and others like it.