To thine true self, be
To thine true self, be
Humanitarian disaster — please read
I received the following today from Bishop Sylvestre Bahati, Bishop of Bukavu, in eastern Congo.
I have known Bishop Bahati for many years, and can attest to his trustworthiness.
His full letter (warning: includes graphic photos) can be downloaded here, and he includes bank details for refugee relief.
Write to your nation’s leader. American citizens can write here. The war in Congo, supported by Rwanda’s government, has claimed well over five million lives. It is often called “World War III”.
You can also contribute through Episcopal Relief and Development, if you prefer, or else the Anglican Alliance.
Pierre Whalon
PROVINCE DE L’ÉGLISE ANGLICANE DU CONGO
DIOCÈSE DE BUKAVU
Monday, September 03, 2012
The Rt Revd Pierre Whalon
23 Avenue George V , Paris , 75008 , France
Your Excellency Bishop
SECURITY CRISIS IN BUKAVU DIOCESE I am voicing my deep concerns over the deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to a recent Army mutiny and the continued presence of armed rebel groups in the region. DRC's eastern provinces of Bukavu and South Kivu have been witnessing intensified fighting in recent weeks between government troops and the M23, composed of renegade soldiers who mutinied in July under the leadership of Gen. Bosco Ntaganda. The ongoing conflict has displaced more than 500,000 people, including many who have fled to neighboring Rwanda and Rwanda. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already issued a warrant for Ntaganda's arrest on charges of recruiting child soldiers to his militia. However, Ntaganda, who is also known as "Terminator," has rejected the ICC charges. The diocese of Bukavu serves to South Kivu Province and a great part of North Kivu Province. In both regions, the security situation is becoming worse because of fighting everywhere, massacre of innocents and massive displacement of people. Three groups of tensions are reported:
1) Rutshuru and Masisi in North Kivu :
The days that came after the recent elections of November 2011 in Democratic Republic of Congo, the guns restarted to resound in this part of the country. The fighting are opposing the loyal army to rebels known as M23 (Mouvement du 23 Mars) of the General Bosco NTAGANDA, dissident of Congolese army and chased for crime by the penal court of the Hague. This has the following consequences:
- Displacement of people: More than 500 000 people are already in displacement or refuge in Goma and around, in Rwanda and in Uganda. We need urgently support to assist these victims because situation on place is still anxious because the needs in food and materials of the victims are daily increasing.
- The occupation of Virunga park by the rebels of M23: the base of this movement is found there and one can fear a negative impact of this to the environment.
2) Kalehe in South Kivu : In this current month, the community of Bunyakiri area (80km Northern Bukavu town) has been victim of attacks from FDLR Interahamwe. From surrounding mountains, these militias came into villages at the night and killed 30 people at Birame on August, 2012. The night of 14th August, 2012, more than 41 people have been killed by pangs at Kamananga, many women raped, about 50 houses burned, and all the properties looted …
On August 17th, 2012, 11 people were killed at Chambucha, the women raped and many injured and about 55 houses burned.
On August 24th, 2012, at Chaminunu, 6 people have been killed by Interamwe who attacked the village at night. Those who are injured and raped are many. The properties have been looted and the houses have been destroyed by fire.
A large number of the victims are in displacement in Bulambika Centre and Bukavu town. Many of them are vulnerable people such women, children and old people. They are now living in the families of the Christians who hosted them but their situation is anxious because there is nobody to improve their basic needs.
3) There are many massacres accomplished by the FDLR /Interahamwe (Forces démocratiques pour la libération du Rwanda) in villages of South Kivu and North Kivu Provinces . These are militias chased from Rwanda after committing the genocide in 1994. The balance-sheet published by some local organizations shows thousands of people killed; many others have been injured, many women raped and infrastructures destroyed … These rebels have looted the properties. Those who flew away to look for safe areas live in poverty and miss hygienic supplies. This situation has caused the creation of RAIA MUTOMBOKI who are local defense forces.
4: Fizi in South Kivu : Even if there seems to be a precarious calm, in this part of D.R. congo, there is a frightening and instability situation because it is a base of tensions for a long time. Often, the forces of Government army living there oppose against the militias known as Mayi Mayi YAKUTUMBA. Also, the interethnic conflicts between Banyamulenge and Babembe communities have become a frequently situation.
I am writing you requesting your financial support to our current situations. We have re-allocate these vulnerable victims at St. Francis Mvula Parish so that they may we may provide relief. Our situation needs your intervention to help. We need more than $20,000 to reach their needs. I am begging you to donate whatever you have any amount is acceptable.
The major currently needs are foods, accommodation and other basic humanitarians. We need your prayers too for peace as have suffered a lot in our life.
Would you kindly wire your support directly to our St. Francis Mvula parish where victims are placed for help. Please consider our request as we are in desperate needs.
Évêque diocésain :
Mgr BAHATI BALI-BUSANE Sylvestre.
MUHUMBA, Av. Pangi N°2
Bukavu, Congo (RDC)
St. FRANCIS MVULA
C/O B.P. 138 Cyangugu, Rwanda
Tel: (+243) 804313647
E-mail: dioceseofbukavu@gmail.com
4 septembre 2012