Bishop Peggy Johnson and the Peter D. Weaver Congo Partnership, Jonathan Baker – chair

Greetings to the churches of the Peninsula-Delaware Conference

In this season when we celebrate the advent of the Prince of Peace, we have recently learned of the devastation of our Congolese sister and brothers on the eastern border of the country as war has broken out creating a massive refugee situation.  Please read the details of the following Declaration, forwarded by the Council of Bishop’s office, from Bishop UNDA YEMBA, recently elected bishop of the East Congo Episcopal area where our Partnership has one of its agriculture projects. We encourage you to:

1.     Please pray for peace with justice for this war-torn area and for those seeking to respond to this disaster and the refugees.

2.      Offer financial support of the humanitarian efforts. All funds will be channeled through the General Board of Global Ministries. Any contributions can be sent to the Conference Resource Center and you can use your Benevolence Remittance Form, line 42, and designate Advance 00381A – Emergency Disaster East Congo.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration and extravagant generosity.

Declaration from Bishop Gabriel UNDA YEMBA

East Congo Episcopal Area, United Methodist Church

on the current critical situation in the North Kivu/Goma area

of Democratic Republic of Congo

I. General situation at Goma and in nearby areas around the city –(Provincial capital of the province of North Kivu)

This cry of alarm that we must sound at this particular time is predicated by the atrocities of war that plague this part of our Episcopal Area.  The military confrontations between the M23 rebel forces and the regular armed forces of the DRCongo have dire consequences. The noose that is tightening around the city of Goma this afternoon of November 19, 2012 is sending the local populations into an indescribable chaos:

·         Massive displacement of the population: around 200,000 are fleeing from their homes and temporary shelters to escape the war.  United Methodists are among those who are seeking refuge.

·         Consequences:

o   Lack of shelter, lack of clothing

o   Lack of food, lack of water

o   Lack of medical care to treat rampant disease

o   Total insecurity

o   Death, especially of women and children

In short, the region has become unlivable, due to the horrors that the men, women and children are left to face alone.

II. Extremely Urgent: Proposal for a Solution

1.    The United Nations Security Council has a great responsibility:  it alone can intervene to bring an end to the hostilities by using its force in the region.

2.    Urgent humanitarian aid of all kinds is needed by the local churches so that they can begin to meet the needs of the huge populations who are victims of the war.  If not, they will be decimated.

More than 6 million people have died in the region since 1998.

3.    We ask that the United Nations Security Council impose a peace process for sincere negotiations between the warring parties, for a lasting peace in the area.

Thank you for your prayers and may God bless you abundantly.

                                                    

Bishop Gabriel UNDA YEMBA

                                                     East Congo Episcopal Area