Update: The ‘Forgotten Crisis’ is still raging in Eastern Congo.
It has been ten months since the resurgence of the M23 rebel group and the repercussions are still reverberating throughout Eastern Congo. We are grateful that, at present, the city of Goma and the close surrounding areas are not directly in conflict. However, reports of continued fighting with different rebel groups persist as the nation fights for the right to thrive and be free of the war.
The world is forgetting
Without consistent coverage from news outlets (not that there was much even at the height of the crisis) it seems the world has failed to remember Eastern Congo. The UN World Food Program has labeled the situation a forgotten crisis with millions of lives shattered by violence, displacement, and hunger with very little aid being given. Many governments, agencies, non-profits, and individuals pledged to help and yet the majority of those funds have yet to materialize. Millions of dollars in support was promised and less than 10% has been received.
This is not the news anyone wants to hear
A retrospective mortality survey carried out by Doctors Without Borders in April in three displacement camps in the Goma area revealed alarming mortality rates among children under 5 years old in the first four months of the year. In Rusayo, one of the camps—where an estimated 85,000 to 100,000 people are living—on average, more than three children died every day during this period. The consumption of untreated water coupled with extremely unsanitary conditions have created the conditions for the spread of cholera, particularly as more people continue to arrive in the camps, fleeing a recent resurgence of violence in North Kivu. Amid these overcrowded, unhygienic conditions, more than 4,000 cholera cases were recorded in the health zone of Goma during the first six months of 2023, compared to 100 during the same period in 2022. That number is now over to 8,000 in August 2023 according to the UN and UNICEF.
Sexual violence has been reported on a ‘catastrophic scale’ in the camps of North Kivu. With women and children being the main targets. Human trafficking in the area has grown exponentially since the onset of the crisis.
Start with the One you can help...
The statistics are staggering and we can easily move into “paralysis” with the weight of the need. Instead, we can move in solidarity and empathy. There is hope, one life saved from cholera, one woman saved from sexual violence, and one child offered the opportunity to continue their schooling makes a world of difference. We start with one. One step at a time, one life at a time. One meal for a hungry family. It may seem like we cannot fix the problem, and the temptation is to do nothing, if we can’t do more. But we can help the one and the many, with your help, we CAN make a difference.
Our team on the ground has been working tirelessly to continue our normal programs and do all they can for the situation the nation is facing, the situation right in front of them.
"To witness people who have had to leave everything to flee for their lives, for their children's lives. Then to land in deplorable conditions, is not something I am willing to do nothing about. I can't not help. I can’t sit by in my normal life and let children die, the youth give up their future and education and let women be raped, and do nothing. Now that I know I must do something" An Africa New Day staff member, said. "Just helping one, makes a difference. I just help one, then another, then another, and that makes all the difference".
And that is what we are doing, whatever we can to help. These are the words of one we were able to help:
One who's life was changed
The story of Rosine NIKUZE MBITI.
I come from the city of Kiwanja in the territory of Rutshuru, I was registered at the Oasis School Complex in 4th form in the Nutrition department until the war arrived. We left Kiwanja and found ourselves in Goma; living in the camp of the displaced with nothing. We lost everything by fleeing: our field, our livestock, everything remained behind because of this war.
Being in Goma, I no longer had the hope of continuing my studies and pass the State Exams. I only cried every night because I love studies so much but I saw my dream stop and fade after the war and the lack of sufficient means on the side of my parents.
Africa New Day came to relieve my pain and that of my whole family by agreeing to pay for me the costs of participation in the state examinations, it was a sigh of relief for my whole family; despite the delay in my studies caused by staying at home while the school year was going on. Recently, I started to take recovery courses that were set up by Africa New Day. I even continue to take classes there. I am confident that this will help me and sharpen my preparation and I believe that I will be ready to face the examinations and pass by the grace of God. I am so happy to be able to sit for the state examinations under such conditions, that is to say, with confidence.
My sincere and deep thanks to Africa New Day, for not only helping me to pay the cost of my participation in the state examinations but also for having put joy, a smile, and good mood back into my family and I.
Only God will reward this love and good faith.
Rosine passed her exams and will return to school this month! She and over 300 other children (who all passed the exams) were given a chance to continue their education because we said yes to helping to support them in the midst of this terrible circumstance they were thrust into. Statistically over 85% of displaced and refugee children never return to school. On our watch, that statistic is changing.
We need your help:
It is only because of you that Africa New Day can function and do the incredible work to change the Congo. In the midst of all you have going on will you please consider helping continue the work of Africa New Day by giving a one-time gift or becoming a monthly supporter?
A gift of $50 a month will help support the staff of Africa New Day to continue to serve the community and the displaced.
You are making a difference, one life at a time.