May 25, 2022, armed fights occurred in Goma, Eastern Congo, between the governement and rebel movement of M23, forcing 72.000 people to leave their homes for security. This is after the region was put under the state of siege by the government and endured over 25 years of armed conflict. Leaving their homes for their lives, refugees are obliged to leave all that they have. This fund will support relief work of partner community-based associations offering relief supports to refugees and IDPs.
For 25 years, the persistant armed conflict between the governement and a number of rebel groups in the Eastern Congo among whom the M23 has caused more than 2.5 millions deaths, 5,01 millions internally displaced people and 918 000 refugees. The last week outbreak of war in Goma between the govevernment and the rebel movement of M23 has forced additional 72000 people to leave their homes in search for security. The UNHCR reports that about 26% of refugees and displaced people are chidren.
This fund will support relief work, hospitality and life-saving assistance for Congolese refugees and internally displaced people in Goma and surrounding regions as well as in neighboring countries. Support to this fund will provide safe water, food, hygienic kits and psychological support for refugees and displaced children. School supplies, job creation training, legal assistance and conflict transformation awareness service will also be provided for displaced people.
AgroMwinda as a public trustee, with support from Vodacom Fondation, UN agencies and other World Bank funded projects, is dedicated to empowering small farmers associations and community-based orgazations in Congo to effectively respond to community needs. Our local and regional partners in Goma and beyond are now working to ensure that congolese refugees and internally displaced people are safe and are finding needed support. AgroMwinda will share information on the impact generated.
