Appeal

Democratic Republic of Congo

Eastern DRC Conflict and Displacement - AFDC81

Appeal Target: US$ 7,309,587

Balance Requested: US$ 5,380,290

Geneva, 23rd December 2008

Please find attached the full AFDC81 Appeal which replaces the Preliminary Appeal previously issued on November 14, 2008, and which provides a more detailed and targeted relief and early recovery programme based on the latest needs assessments of the appeal requesting ACT Members and their implementing partners.

As many aid groups work to assist those in displaced person camps, ACT members are working through church and local networks to identify needs and prioritize assistance for the largely 'invisible' displaced families and the increasingly vulnerable communities who are hosting them. Initial plans for assistance include support for an estimated 27,000 people, as well as water and sanitation support for significantly more families.

While official figures of newly displaced people in crowded camps around Goma are still being determined, another reality of displacement remains in the shadows: the thousands of families who have opened their modest homes to fleeing strangers. Although these displaced persons do not appear to be immediately at risk of malnutrition and disease like those jammed into camps, they are weighing on the meagre resources of their hospitable host families -- and feeling undignified for having to do so.

In addition to poor shelter conditions for some families, the vulnerability of host communities is also increasing. With the arrival of those who fled, the need for firewood can double or triple for long periods of time and the surrounding environment is beginning to suffer from deforestation.

This full appeal has an increased target from US$ 1,888,215 (Preliminary Appeal) to US$ 7,309,587 and the overall implementation period for the appeal cover 1st November 2008 through to November 2009 for relief and recovery assistance to the affected people.

The following ACT members are participating in this full Appeal: Church of Christ in Congo (ECC - South Kivu and North Kivu)), Ecumenical Office for Support to Development (BOAD), Evangelical Lutheran Church of Congo (EELCO), Lutheran World Federation (LWF), and Norwegian Church Aid (NCA).

The ACT CO presents this Appeal for your consideration and support. The seriousness of the situation warrants your careful review, and your consideration on how members of the ACT alliance may be able to support our six implementing members which are working in extremely difficult circumstances to assist persons and families displaced and affected by the conflict.

Project Completion Date: November 2009 (Start date: November 14th 2008)

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FOR THE FULL APPEAL TEXTS AND BUDGETS (PDF FILE), KINDLY VISIT THE ACT SITE. THANK YOU. ________________________________________________________________________________________

Please kindly send your contributions to either of the following ACT bank accounts:

US dollar

Account Number - 240-432629.60A

IBAN No: CH46 0024 0240 4326 2960A

Euro

Euro Bank Account Number - 240-432629.50Z

IBAN No: CH84 0024 0240 4326 2950Z

Account Name: ACT - Action by Churches Together

UBS AG

8, rue du Rhône

P.O. Box 2600

1211 Geneva 4, SWITZERLAND

Swift address: UBSWCHZH80A

Please also inform the Finance Officer Jessie Kgoroeadira (jkg@act-intl.org) and the Programme Officer, Michael Hyden (mhy@act-intl.org), of all pledges/contributions and transfers, including funds sent direct to the implementers, now that the Pledge Form is no longer attached to the Appeal.

We would appreciate being informed of any intent to submit applications for EU, USAID and/or other back donor funding and the subsequent results. We thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.

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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.