Pray for the Democratic Republic of Congo
Some 250,000 people have fled their homes in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo escaping the fight that broke out between the army and rebels in August 2008. The D.R. Congo, a country the size of western Europe and located in the heart of Africa, is striving to recover from a long civil war that reportedly killed some 5 million people, mostly through starvation and disease. As the newly internally displaced people join about 1 million already displaced in the region, fears of a humanitarian disaster are on the rise. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is responding to the situation in Congo through prayer, financial support and advocacy.
Relief organizations have had to curtail or cease operations in eastern Congo because of the high level of insecurity in the region. Despite limited access, the Action by Churches Together coalition — of which Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is a member — has been able to deliver initial assistance to some affected communities.
Presbyterians respond
Presbyterians in the United States are among those seeking to end the fighting that created the widespread suffering. They are praying for peace in the Congo and calling for increased international efforts to stop the violence.
Use the resources from the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program to guide your understanding of the situation and as you pray for peace.
Contact members of Congress — use the Washington Office’s “Action Alert” to send a letter to the Capitol. Learn more through the PC(USA)’s Congo Mission Network, whose members have been heavily involved in advocacy efforts.
Support the church ’s efforts with a gift to Disaster Relief — Democratic Republic of Congo. Contribute also to the Presbyterian Women Palm Project, a mission program that establishes palm plantations in Congo providing both needed palm oil and income.
Background
The PC(USA) has been in mission in the Congo since 1891, but its work has been centered in the Kasai region of south central Congo (bordering Angola) and in the capital city of Kinshasa. While the fighting is hundreds of miles away from the historic focus of PC(USA) mission, the violence threatens to disrupt the entire country and destabilize an already fragile government.
The PC(USA) is standing with its longtime Congolese partners as they cast worried eyes toward the violence raging in the east. Presbyterian mission personnel continue their work with church partners in a variety of ministries, including health care, HIV/AIDS prevention and care, community development, nutrition and theological education. Some of these efforts are aimed at rebuilding lives and communities that were shattered during the civil war. A variety of giving opportunities are available to support the ministries of the PC(USA) and its Congolese partners. |
