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Friday, November 28, 2008

An Organized Response

As violence has flared up once again in the DR Congo, Food for the Hungry International (FHI) and numerous other NGO's have sent assessment teams into Goma to determine what the proper course of action should be in the face of extreme tension, violence and need. 

Here is the latest report issued by FHI

November 2008
Fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo

"After decades of war, the Congolese experienced a period of relative peace until fighting erupted between rebel soldiers and government forces in the eastern province of North Kivu in late October. A UN-brokered cease-fire held for a week before falling apart, leading to an escalation in violence and the displacement of at least 250,000 people. The province was already home to numerous camps housing as many as 1 million displaced people. Living conditions within the crowded camps are marked by lack of sanitation and food with an increasing threat of disease.

Food for the Hungry has been operational in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since early 1995, in response to the Rwandan refugee crisis. Current work in the DRC focuses primarily on food security vulnerabilities, providing seeds, tools and seed protection packets, and developing fish ponds. Food for the Hungry also undertakes road rehabilitation, water and sanitation and health projects. However, the conflict has caused our programs in Minova, a region on the border between North Kivu and South Kivu to be placed on hold due to the security situation.

Staff members continue to monitor the situation and a team from Food for the Hungry's relief unit is currently conducting an assessment to determine the necessary response. In addition, Food for the Hungry staff members in neighboring Uganda are conducting an assessment to assist Congolese refugees who have fled to Uganda.

Please pray for wisdom as Food for the Hungry workers decide how to respond to the current situation. Pray also for an end to the fighting and for the Congolese people who have already suffered from years of conflict. "

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