You may have heard about the escalating conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in central Africa. This situation is of great interest to us, as our ministry, Haven of Hope, is based in Bukavu, Sud Kivu, DRC. As of Feb 1st all Haven of Hope operations have been suspended due to safety concerns of our girls and staff.
For ten years, Rachelle and I have dedicated much of our lives to counseling and restoring hope in the lives of rape survivors in the DRC by taking them into our home in Bukavu providing them with skill trades education and placement services. We've spent countless hours and made significant sacrifices to travel to Bukavu year after year, bringing teams of people to offer unconditional love to hundreds of survivors each year.
The COVID-19 travel restrictions and last year's threat of war were the only factors keeping us from going out of the ten years we have been doing this. This year, concerns of war have escalated into full-scale violence, especially in the east where Haven of Hope is based. The deteriorating situation in Bukavu has prompted us to ask for prayers for our girls, the people in north and south Kivu, and the entire country. We also seek monetary support due to the increased needs in our program under these extreme circumstances. Basic needs have become more urgent than ever.
The root of this devastation traces back to the 1994 Rwandan genocide and the greed for Congo's vast mineral reserves, mainly in the east. The DRC is the world's top producer of tantalum and cobalt, essential components in batteries for electric vehicles and mobile phones. The wealth of these minerals has become a curse for the nation.
In the past month, the M23 rebels, primarily composed of ethnic Tutsis, have claimed they are fighting to protect their rights and have accused the Congolese government of failing to honor previous peace agreements. Rwanda has been accused of supporting the M23, with over 4,000 of Rwandan troops allegedly fighting alongside the rebels, although Rwanda denies direct involvement. The Tutsi-led M23 rebels have made significant advances, capturing territory, killing thousands and controlling valuable mines in North and South Kivu provinces. This conflict has worsened the humanitarian crisis, with ongoing threats to aid workers and NGO personnel, causing panic and fears of a broader regional war. Now, they have marched on to Bukavu and plan on taking our city as well.
Recent highlights include:
The city of Goma falling under M23 rebel control
Goma airport seized and closed, cutting off escape routes
Borders closed, making travel out of DRC difficult
The U.S. Embassy ordering the evacuation of all U.S., NGO, and non-military personnel
Non-essential aid workers from all other countries evacuated
Over 3,000 killed in violent clashes in less than two weeks
Hundreds of women and girls raped - an increase of 30% over the already staggering number
Young boys being are being kidnapped and force to fight alongside the M23
Over 500,000 people have been displaced
Hospitals are overwhelmed and have been targeted
Humanitarian catastrophe triggered by the worsening conflict
Failed peace talks and ceasefire treaties
Riots, protests, and civil unrest
Rebels ordering and forcing the evacuation of refugee camps with 110,000 people left with nowhere to go
Severe shortages of food, water, and supplies
Traffic suspensions and roadblocks causing shortages of goods for survival
The situation has become so bad that our primary contacts, family, and others have fled to Nairobi, Kenya, to escape the violence, fear of possible attacks and even death.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for the DRC, citing armed conflict, crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, human rights violations (rape), police impersonators, and the targeting of civilians by armed groups, including terrorism, as reasons for the heightened warning. The State Department also noted its extremely limited ability to provide emergency consular services outside of Kinshasa due to poor infrastructure and security conditions.
Our utmost priority is the safety of our girls. Unfortunately, we are all too familiar with the consequences of these conditions, as we have witnessed them repeatedly. We anticipate an increase in violent assaults against women and a heightened demand for physical, mental, and spiritual support.
Simply put, we need your help. Your support, no matter how big or small, would be immensely appreciated.
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