Camp lacks food, clean water, toilets and schooling, says Salesian

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries, through the Emergency Coordination for Displaced Persons, distributed food rations consisting of cornmeal, beans, cooking salt, vegetable oil and soap to 320 families in the Kanyaruchinya camp, north of Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.* The distribution was made possible thanks to the support of the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid.

One Salesian said, “The beneficiaries were the most vulnerable people in the camp, including the elderly, those with disabilities, mothers and pregnant women. This is the third time Salesians have provided vulnerable people in the camp with food and basic necessities. The last time was during a period of famine that hit the camp occupants earlier this year. The camp lacks food, clean water, toilets and schooling.”

This camp is the first and largest internally displaced persons camp in the Rutshuru and Nyiragongo territories. Despite being an officially recognized camp, assistance is sporadic.

This food distribution came a week after the one made at Don Bosco Shasha for those who have sought shelter there from the ongoing fighting in the country. Salesians in Goma and surrounding areas are supporting people who have been displaced because of ongoing conflict. The conflict has left more than 5.8 million people displaced across the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Tanganyika, according to UNHCR – the United Nations Refugee Agency.

Thousands of displaced people settled on the grounds of Don Bosco Shasha with Salesians providing food and shelter. Those impacted by the war are also going to Don Bosco Ngangi in Goma, where some 28,000 people are seeking shelter on the center’s grounds.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – D.R. Congo – Salesians from AFC-EST Delegation bring humanitarian aid to displaced people in Kanyaruchinya camp

Salesian Missions – Democratic Republic of the Congo

UNHCR – Democratic Republic of the Congo

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control