FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — The head of an international Baptist relief agency has sent out an urgent fundraising appeal to ease the suffering of victims of civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Just back from a conference in Uganda in which Baptist leaders discussed the crisis, Paul Montacute, director of Baptist World Aid, appealed Nov. 4 for gifts to assist people in the eastern part of the country. The area has affected by intensified fighting between rebel troops and government forces in recent weeks.
 African Baptist leaders meeting on the crisis in Congo. From left, Habimana Athanase, Paul Montacute, Jaques Banyene, Banyangirki Munyaneza Thomas |
Montacute said the Baptist World Alliance counts three member groups from the area. BWAid, the BWA’s relief-and-development arm, has long cooperated with those partners to help local Baptists work with abused and violated women and children, provide school resources, fight poverty and conduct other programs.
“Once again, it is the innocent people of Kivu Province who are suffering at the hands of armies and rebel forces,” Montacute said. “They deserve better, and are relying on us to help them.”
Montacute returned Nov. 3 from the meeting with Baptists caught up in the situation. They came not only from Eastern Congo but also neighboring Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Sudan and Tanzania. All, he said, “were very concerned about the escalating issue.”
Baptist facilities in eastern Congo are being used to provide shelter for displaced persons, Montacute said, but funds are desperately needed for basic needs of shelter, food, water and sanitation.
Montacute said funds sent to BWAid would be used to help Baptists in Congo and neighboring countries to help these struggling people. Gifts for the appeal should be designated “Goma Congo Appeal.” Information on how to give is available on the BWAid website.
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