War Victims in North Kivu, DR Congo, Benefit from Salesians’ “improved” Facilities

“So far, 1,844 people have received medical care including 84 hospitalized and 32 transferred to other medical facilities. There have been 14 births,” officials of Salesians Missions say.

Besides medical assistance, the officials of the Salesian entity say that food supplies including soybean and corn gruel have been distributed to 365 displaced children and 357 adults.

They add that Salesian Missions has also facilitated the distribution of additional food and cooking utensils to 300 families, and given tarpaulins to 120 families.

Salesian officials report that the situation in North Kivu Province “deteriorated significantly” following the advancement of the rebel military in January that led to the cut off of the second main link that supplied the city of Goma with various products.

They say that the advancement of the rebel military has resulted in “massacres, sexual abuse, organ trafficking, enlistment of minors in the conflict, kidnappings for ransom, and more unspeakable acts of violence.”

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In the February 27 report, Fr. Piero Gavioli, a member of SDB who has served in the country for about 50 years, explains the situation in the Congolese Province, saying, “This latest wave of violence has prompted tens of thousands of people to leave their homes in search of relative safety in several areas of North Kivu Province, including Goma.”

“This has caused the three soccer fields at the Don Bosco Ngangi Center to fill with those displaced. The latest figures speak of some 3,530 households, including more than 19,000 minors,” Fr. Gavioli is quoted as saying.

The Italian-born Salesian Missionary in DRC further says, “It is an emergency situation that calls all humanitarian workers and members of society to assist a community in distress.”

SDB members pledge to continue reaching out to the victims of violent conflicts “with more support” as long as it takes.

“Given the violence does not seem to be de-escalating, Salesians with the help of VIS are working on a more long-term solution and are launching a project to provide people with more support,” officials of Salesian Missions say.

The goal of the long-term solution, they add, “is to provide more provisions and psychological support to the people including education for minors.”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.