Mennonite World Conference has convened an inter-Anabaptist task force in response to a humanitarian crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after a major escalation of one of Africa’s longest conflicts.
“We are deprived of Bibles, water, soap and even food,” writes a representative of the youth organization of a Mennonite Brethren church in Bukavu. “We are soliciting the accompaniment of your prayers and materials.”
Mennonite Central Committee will take the lead in the response. Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission, Mennonite Church Canada Witness, Mennonite Mission Network and the MB mission agency Multiply are participating.
The Mennonite Brethren Church in the DRC, Communauté des Églises des Frères Mennonites au Congo, or CEFMC, has 34 congregations with 4,000 members in the region. On March 6, the CEFMC reported 600 families from its congregations were among the tens of thousands displaced.
An MB pastor fled for his safety. His church building was taken by government troops and later by M23 rebel forces.
According to the United Nations, nearly 7 million people are internally displaced across the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Tanganyika.
According to the Associated Press, about 100 armed groups are vying for a foothold in the DRC’s mineral-rich east. In January, Rwandan-backed rebels captured Goma and Bukavu, the region’s biggest cities.
Some who fled the violence are staying in camps in the region. Others fled to parts of the country where Mennonite congregations offer assistance. Some evacuated to Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania, where other Mennonites have provided support.
“The situation requires an urgent response but also a multiyear plan,” said Annie Loewen, MCC interim disaster response director.
Food, shelter and hygiene supplies are critical needs. Over the longer term, trauma healing resources and supplies to restore households will be needed.
“We want to react swiftly to the needs of people in the region, but our response must be coordinated with other partners,” said Doug Hiebert, Multiply regional team leader for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Tigist Tesfaye, MWC Deacons Commission secretary, said: “Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters. Our solidarity in prayer is a key part of our response as an Anabaptist family.”
Donations can be made to the Global Church Sharing Fund with a designation for the church in Congo at mwc-cmm.org/en/global-church-sharing-fund.
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