Exclusive pictures sent to the Anglican Alliance by Bishop Bahati Bali-Busane Sylvestre from the Diocese of Bukavu in DRC show the plight of displaced people living in Anglican churches and schools in inhumane conditions.

This is a call for more attention to this neglected humanitarian crisis that is devastating the lives of people in Eastern Congo.

Bishop Sylvestre spoke out about the “pitiful” situation of the thousands of people who have been driven from their homes in north eastern Congo.

“In recent days 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 said.

The pictures attached to this report were sent to the Alliance by the Bishop from his visit. They show people living without proper shelter, children suffering from inadequate food, and children in the host community studying in schools with no desks or chairs because all the furniture has been used  for fuel for the displaced people.

Thousands of people have fled from their homes, escaping violence: killings, rapes, looting, property destruction, and child recruitment are causing huge and permanent movement of people. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of humanitarian Affairs there are 320.000 people displaced only in North Kivu since April 2012. (Situation report No. 6)

Early last month the Anglican Alliance launched an appeal of behalf of the Diocese of Bukavu which has been responded by Anglican Agencies worldwide. The Australian Anglican Board of Mission has been supporting this appeal and is hoping to raise $5,000 to help the church’s relief work.  The North American Episcopal Relief and Development has already made a donation to the Diocese and continues its work in the countryThe church is asking for support to implement the following plan to help the affected communities:

Targeted area: villages of Bukavu, Rutshuru, Masisi, Bunyakiri, and Kalonge

Targeted community: families displaced hosted by other families

Number of beneficiaries: 517 families which include 702 children and 89 pregnant women or new mothers

Who is responsible for implementing the response: Diocesan Emergency Committee

If you would like to contribute to this appeal, please send your donations to the following account of the Province of the Anglican Church of Congo:

Account Name:     PROVINCE DE L'EGLISE ANGLICANE DU CONGO

Bank Name:          RAWBANK

Account Number:  01000114503-41

Currency:               $US

Swift Code:            RAWBCDKI

Address:                 BP 2499; KINSHASA 1

                               REPUBIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO

The Diocese of Bukavu will provide updates about the evolution of the situation and how resources have been used to respond to this emergency. The Anglican Alliance will post the report back on this appeal.

For more photos visit http://www.anglicanalliance.org/news/15986/exclusive-alliance-pictures-show-hidden-victims-of-drc-conflict

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