DR Congo: Dorcas Co-Assists 15,000 Refugees
Fighting in North Kivu since late August has driven a quarter of a million people from their homes, creating a humanitarian catastrophe. Dorcas, together with Dutch Christian NGOs Red een Kind, Tear, Woord en Daad and ZOA, responds to the crisis by assisting some 15,000 IDPs (internally displaced persons) from November 2008 to January, 2009.
The assistance is channelled through a local organisation, PPSSP, which also is the implementing partner. The target group in the PPSSP programme is based in North Kivu in 3 locations: near to Goma, in South Lubero and in the North of Beni.
As an initial response, the 15,000 IDPs are assisted with nutritional support for children under 5 years of age and for pregnant and lactating mothers, with clothes and blankets, protection of water sources, education on hygiene, distribution of 2,500 household kits, construction of latrines, psychological support (especially for women that have been raped which is a common problem in wars and civil unrests), distribution of mosquito nets (prevention of malaria). Every household will receive two of these nets.
The criteria set up for the IDPs include - those that have no other assistance, or - insufficient assistance, with vulnerable household members and without a household head who can provide for the family.
Please visit http://www.dorcas.net/ again soon to read more!
Photo: "IDPs from Kibumba", courtesy of partner Tear
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