Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Fides Service)- Caritas Congo is coming to the assistance of Congolese expelled from Angola (see Fides 21 and 26 April 2004). According to the local DIA Catholic news agency sponsored by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a joint mission Caritas Congo in collaboration with Catholic Relief Service (US Catholic Agency) sent a mission to southern Congo, where thousands of Congolese are arriving after being expelled from Angola. The mission visited Tshikapa in Luebo diocese and Tembo in Popokabaka diocese. These forced repatriates are living in inhuman conditions.
At Tembo, Caritas Congo and the local Caritas have started a programme to distribute first necessities, high protein biscuits, soap, blankets to 15,000 people.
In Luebo diocese Caritas Congo, with other partners, is trying to give assistance to 10,000 homeless people. At Tembo, in Popokabaka diocese, according to the local authorities, there are 80,000 refugees.
Besides providing soap, blankets, clothing and health-kits for Congolese returning from Angola Caritas Congo is also helping to reinforce the capacity of local Caritas by sending qualified personnel to train local operators.
Caritas Congo reports that there are many emergency situations in Democratic Congo caused by the civil war which started in 1998. To meet the emergencies, Caritas Congo intends to empower diocesan Caritas centres and encourage solidarity among Congolese dioceses. Caritas centres in various dioceses of Congo are already sending aid and personnel to the two dioceses in the south receiving the flow of Congolese expelled from Angola. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 13/5/2004, righe 26 parole 282)
