Bukavu Update: The situation is "dire"

The Bishop of Bukavu, Sylvestre Bahati-Bulsane, has issued an emergency plea for humanitarian assistance as the situation in the eastern province of South Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) deteriorates following its occupation by Rwandan-backed rebel militias.

The Diocese of St Davids has a companion link with Bukavu that was created ten years ago.

The Companion Link Committee is receiving almost daily accounts from Bukavu and the situation seems dire.  The rebels are kidnapping boys as young as 10 to serve in their army and any member of the public out on the streets at any time of day or night is in danger of being murdered.

Machetes are the weapon of choice on men and rape on women and young girls.  A local militia has been started to try and win back the city.  Food is very scarce as the border between Rwanda and Bukavu is closed so no food can come across and due to the violence people are too afraid to leave the city to go to the countryside where the food is usually bought from.  The cost of what food there is has risen beyond the means of those who have money to buy it.

All NGOs have ceased working, all industry, shops and banks have closed.  The letter from Bishop Bahati paints a grim picture:

"We would like to make you part of the increasingly worrying humanitarian and security situation which currently prevails in our region. The armed clashes between the loyalist forces of the DRC and the AFC/M23 rebels in North and South Kivu with heavy consequences:
- around 1 million internally displaced people in South Kivu;
- around 60 000 of refugees, particularly in Burundi;
- in Bukavu, a city of about a million inhabitants, militias are looting properties, raping women and killing innocents.
"The numerous internally displaced people are found in South Kivu, especially in the territories of Idjwi, Kabare, Kalehe, Walungu and the towns of Uvira and Bukavu. They require emergeny humanitarian assistance in the form of food and non-food items and trauma healing.

"The Anglican Church, Diocese of Bukavu, working in South Kivu province, has gathered information about the displaced presence from our pastors working in local churches. Displaced people are being sheltered by host families. Some of them are also hosted in local church buildings and other public structures such as schools. This information is confirmed by national and international media and local humanitarian organisations.

"Considering the emergency response needed on the field, the Diocese of Bukavu plans to reach the needy and select some as beneficiaries of food and non-food items such as cornflour, rice, beans, oil, salt, loin cloths, children’s clothes, and soap for hygienic use.

"We also plan, through our churches, to run session of trauma healing and with local health centers some urgent care for the sick."