Conflict has left more than 6.2 million people displaced

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries at Don Bosco Shasha, Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center and the Salesian Industrial Technical Institute in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo*, are continuing to provide support for those who have been internally displaced in the country. Conflict has left more than 6.2 million people displaced across the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Tanganyika, according to the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR.

The country is battling conflict fueled by competition for the region’s rich resources including diamonds, cobalt, gold and oil. The March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group launched an offensive on Oct. 20, 2022, and seized a large part of the Rutshuru territory, displacing people who had fled to the region to escape conflict between the M23 and Congolese armed forces. With the takeover, these people had to flee again.

As a result, the Nyiragongo Territory, bordering the city of Goma, has welcomed thousands of those who have been internally displaced. Many are in the Kanyaruchinya Internally Displaced Persons camp. There has also been serious fighting in Masisi territory, where the towns of Kitshanga and Mushaki have fallen under M23 control. Rutshuru and Masisi are the main sources of food for the city of Goma, and as a result food prices are very unstable. Also, due to the vast numbers of displaced people, several other camps have sprung up. The situation has stressed humanitarian organizations that are already overstretched with their resources.

There are more than 25,000 families living in the camps at Kanyaruchinya, Don Bosco Ngangi, Don Bosco Shasha and Bulengo. Salesians are working to collaborate with other partners to better coordinate interventions at the local level. Many households in the various camps rely on the assistance of the Salesians, who provide food to displaced families as well as spiritual support.

A Salesian said, “The conditions of the camps are challenging. Thanks to donors though some families now have tarpaulins on their shelters. Increases in the cost of living have exacerbated the crisis, with food, fuel and other goods rising in price. Pregnant women, the elderly, people living with disabilities, and widows/widowers are finding it hard to get by in these conditions, having left everything behind in their homelands. The needs are enormous. The children need a space for games and for psychosocial care, helping them to deal with the trauma of the war. Salesians are already doing what they can to organize activities, but have yet to be able to provide these for all the children across the different camps.”

Salesians are also concerned about youth missing their education. Some children missed the 2022-2023 school year and it is very likely that they will miss the 2023-2024 school year. There is currently no hope of a return to their villages, where the security situation remains precarious. There is an urgent need for youth to be enrolled in either local schools or vocational training courses to reduce the risk of violence and exploitation. There is also a need for households to learn income-generating activities in order to reduce their total dependence on humanitarian aid, especially considering that not everyone has access to aid.

Salesian missionaries have been working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for more than 100 years ensuring that the most vulnerable children are not forgotten. Salesian primary and secondary schools and programs lay the foundation for early learning while Salesian trade, vocational and agricultural programs offer many youth the opportunity for a stable and productive future.

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Sources:

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

ANS – DR Congo – Helping Families Displaced by Conflict

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 these countries 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.