CAR (MNN) — Bloody tribal
clashes are flaring in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo. Twenty-five thousand people have fled the violence into the
Central African Republic.
A local church is responding to
the needs of as many of the refugees as they can. Many of the refugees
are members of Africa Inland Mission's partner church in Congo.
AIM missionary Wendy Atkins is heading up relief efforts for
2300 refugees. These groups of people hail from 12
different villages in DR Congo and are fleeing the presence of LRA rebels in
their area and heading towards Zemio.
Atkins has also begun networking
the local church and government officials to form a response. Samaritan's Purse
was contacted, and blankets and tarps were made available to help set up
temporary shelters.
According to Atkins, United Nations High
Commission of Refugees' staff, along with members of the World Food Program
(WFP) and the American Ambassador to Central African Republic, have assessed the
situation. WFP staff and trucks are
expected to respond with supplies, food, clothing, and bedding for the
refugees. Plots are being assigned to allow each family unit to set up
their own household.
The AIM team is acting as the hands and
feet of Christ, but help is needed. Please
help AIM respond to the needs arising in the wake of LRA attacks in
northeastern Congo through a contribution to AIM's Congo Crisis Fund. Click here to learn more.
