The Church of Jesus Christ and NGO Women of Faith Work Together to Relieve Suffering of Thousands in Kisangani, DR Congo

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made a substantial financial contribution to the NGO Women of Faith to help victims of intercommunity conflict and flooding in Kisangani, DR Congo by supplying them essential food and supplies.

This humanitarian aid reached 2,010 households, many of whom came to the distribution location at the great hall of Kisangani Cathedral on February 13, 2024. Others were served at home because they could not travel:  those with chronic illness, orphans, and the elderly. The aid kits consisted of 25 kg of rice, 25 kg of corn flour, 20 kg of beans, 5 liters of oil, 5 kg of sugar, 5 kg of salt, 3 bars of soap, dress fabric, and a small amount of money for transportation.

Aid recipients were selected and prioritized according to the following criteria: pregnant women, breastfeeding women, persons living with disabilities, orphans, the elderly, and the chronically ill.

The aid distribution was kicked off by Mrs. Bernadette Furah, Provincial Minister of Health, Humanitarian Actions, Gender, Family and Children.

The head of the provincial Division of Humanitarian Actions, Dr Antoine Lokangila, declared: “Today's ceremony is most important because the victims and the displaced have spent several months without quality humanitarian aid like this, they received food and non-food items to alleviate their suffering. “

Monsignor Leonard Djadi Djate, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Kisangani, offered this praise: “It is a strong gesture, an act of great solidarity, of great charity towards the most vulnerable, the poorest of our society. I have come to bless and support this activity initiated by Women of Faith and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

Nadine Banze, Director of Women of Faith said: “We are in Kisangani to give humanitarian assistance in food and non-food items to those displaced by the intercommunity conflict and to those affected by the floods. All of this is made possible by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

Honoré Amisa Alebaba, president of the Kisangani District of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, expressed his satisfaction with the work of Woman of Faith: “Led by the spirit of charity by what has happened in Kisangani, we pleaded with authorities of the Church and they responded favorably to us, which is why we are gathered here for this event.”

Several aid recipients expressed their gratitude:

• Lisamba Boluta Théthé: “Thank you for this donation. I had already gone two days without eating but I today I smile thanks to this NGO.”

• Kalokola Otakewa Charlote: “I was sick without this assistance, Women of Faith just gave me something to eat. May the Most High bless them.”

• Koho Malanga Jeremie: “I lack the words to express my gratitude to the donor, may God take care of them.”