URGENT APPEAL FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE LUMUMBA VILLAGE

This is an emergency appeal in response to the recent developments in Goma! This is a rapidly evolving situation, and we are responding as fast as we can, and trying to keep in touch with our staff on the ground.

News report from Reuters: “ A senior U.N. official in Congo said there was now fighting in every neighbourhood in Goma , and the U.N. Security Council will meet on Tuesday to discuss it.

Bruno Lemarquis, U.N. coordinator for the DRC

"The humanitarian situation in and around Goma is extremely, extremely, worrying, with a new threshold of violence and suffering reached today as active zones of combat have spread to all quarters of the city."

He said the internet service in Goma had been cut, and phone networks were patchy.

"We must act now to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of the people of Goma."

News Report from BBC News :

“The UN says hundreds of people are wounded and that bodies are lying in the streets of Goma

One fleeing resident tells the BBC that a bomb killed her neighbour and six children

The rebels claim they have seized the airport in Goma, which has been independently verified by Reuters. “

What does this mean for the children of the Lumumba Village?

All the families have fled the village and are currently seeking shelter in various locations. The likelihood of them being able to go back to the village any time soon is very slim even if the fighting ends. Our aim is to get them some safer accommodation in the town and feed them daily. There are 20 families within the village, totalling 100 with 60 of those being children.

This will also help us to rebuild any infrastructure that has been destroyed in the village during this period.