The Salvation Army in central Africa is responding to a growing humanitarian crisis. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes because of fighting between government troops and rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Some of the displaced people are living in temporary camps within the country but many have fled across the eastern border, seeking safety in Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. Clean water and food is in short supply, and many people have travelled without even the most basic of possessions – including clothing.

Statistics to date state that over 2,000,000 million people within the country are displaced and over 400,000 people have left the country and become refugees in a number of the surrounding countries.

The Salvation Army’s International Emergency Services (IES) is addressing the crisis.

IES has two current active responses which IHQ (International Headquarters)has committed $20,000 to each. Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo territories have commenced assisting people and this is being monitored currently to see what developments may happen in the near future. Activity will increase as the crisis develops. IES have plans to put trained personnel in both of these countries in the near future to help with the assessment, development and implementing projects to help in the situation.

The situation in Uganda is changing day by day and The Salvation Army is looking to complete an assessment for helping the refugees in this country. The DRC itself is of course the most affected.