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Baltimore -- <p>Lutheran World Relief quilts and kits arrived last week in Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC), where conflict continues to disrupt lives.</p>
<p>“In the midst of this conflict, people have had to flee their homes and leave behind
everything. With this shipment we are providing items necessary to meet basic daily needs,” says Trevor Knoblich, who coordinates LWR’s quilt and kit shipments.
</p>
<p>The shipment contained more than 10,500 quilts, 3,500 health kits, 2,800 school kits, 3,750 sewing kits and 7,300 pounds of soap. </p>
<p>“When a
family’s life is disrupted by violence such as this, an LWR quilt or kit not only brings physical comfort, it also brings emotional comfort,” says Brenda Meier, LWR’s
Director for Church & Community Engagement. “It’s a tangible symbol of our love and God’s love.”</p>
<p>LWR worked with partner organization
Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) to get these vitally needed items into the hands of the people of the DRC. Getting material aid into the region can be difficult as shipments must be routed
through Tanzania and have to be unpacked and then re-packed onto ships to go into the DRC. </p>
<p>“Delivering aid to areas in conflict is challenging. Thanks
to our partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council, we were able to make the delivery,” says Knoblich. NRC not only helped coordinate local transport, but helped to cover the
costs of shipping the quilts and kits into the DRC.</p>
<p>Fighting in the DRC intensified in September following the breakdown of a fragile peace agreement between the government and
rebel groups that have been operating in the region for many years. The escalation of the conflict has brought the already serious humanitarian crisis to catastrophic levels. </p><p>Many Congolese have fled across the border to neighboring Rwanda and Uganda while others have sought shelter in overcrowded cities or the region’s remote tropical forests.
More than 1.4 million people are currently displaced and thousands lack adequate food, water, shelter, and healthcare.</p>
<p>Lutheran World Relief is responding through Action by Churches
Together (ACT) International, a network of faith-based organizations that work together to respond to crises. Working through ACT partner Norwegian Church Aid, LWR is providing support for
water and sanitation efforts for communities affected by the ongoing violence.</p>
<p>“LWR will continue to support the people of the Congo as they persevere through this
crisis,” says LWR President John Nunes. “We are grateful to our supporters for their continued support of the people of the Congo. Your financial contributions
will supply families with the things they need to survive.”</p>As the crisis continues, support is urgently needed to continue relief efforts and aid shipments to the people of the
DRC. LWR is accepting donations for the “Congo Crisis” relief effort. Gifts can be made online at <a href="http://www.lwr.org/giving">www.lwr.org/giving</a>;
by phone at 1-800-597-5972; or by mail at P.O. Box 17061 Baltimore, MD 21298-9832, USA.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Congolese rebel leader Laurent Nkunda salutes during a rally in Rutshuru, 70 km (45 miles) north of Goma in eastern Congo, November 22, 2008. Rwanda and Congo on January 23, 2009 ...
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