The Church of Jesus Christ Comes to the Rescue of Flood Victims in Kinshasa, DR Congo

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo worked together to provide 67 tons of food and non-food assistance to victims of the Kinshasa floods of January 2024.

This critical aid was distributed to flood victims on April 4, 2024, in two places: the Communal House of Ngaliema and in the Cristal Palace room in the Municipality of Mont-Ngafula. Around 670 households in total benefited from this humanitarian assistance, selected according to their needs and regardless of their religious affiliation.

Each assisted household received around 100 kg (220 pounds) of basic provisions, including dress material, children's clothing, soap, and food — 25 kg of rice, 25 kg of beans, 10 kg of cassava flour, 5 kg of sugar, 5 kg of salt, 5 liters of refined oil and 5 kg of salted fish.

Many leaders from government, the community, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated in this humanitarian event.

These included the minister of Social Affairs and Humanitarian Actions, His Excellency Modeste Mutinga, mayor of the Municipality of Ngaliema, Mr. Dieumerci Mayibanzilangwa, the provincial coordinator in Charge of Distribution, Mr. Emmanuel Saleh, members of the secretariat for humanitarian actions and for national solidarity, the director general of the National Solidarity and Humanitarian Disaster Management Fund Mr. Remon Bongole, general secretary of the National Fund Ms. Monica, and the head of the Urban Division of Humanitarian Actions Mr. Jean Pierre Kalala.

The Church of Jesus Christ was represented by Manager for Welfare and Self Reliance Services, Didier Mutombo, the Africa Central Area Communication and Publishing Director, Claudine Isekusu and her deputy Bishop Elie Twikala, Ngaliema Stake President Nixon Lomena Lohese, Lukunga Stake Second Counselor Crispin Mandiangu Pululu, and Ngaliema Stake Communication Director Michelle Nsapu Kipulukie Ngoy.

Minister Modeste Mutinga warmly thanked the Church for its large in-kind donation and said to the victims, “We are here with some beans, salted fish, rice, sugar. We also have clothes for mothers and various other products. They will be distributed to you calmly. And for those who miss it, we will come back to serve you.”

Remon Bongole added, “This donation ceremony is really essential. Each of you present will take away 100 kg of food. This is a proof of good faith of our partner, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and at the same time, it supports the vision of our head of state. A big thank you to this church for the help they provided.”

Didier Mutombo said this donation was “our way of showing love to our neighbors by giving them what help we can. This is just one example of our Christian faith as members of the Church of Jesus Christ.”

Several beneficiaries expressed their gratitude:

• Mrs. Akathos Bisingu, a resident of the Kinsuka fishing district who lost her home, moved by the gesture made by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, could not hold back her tears. “God bless you,” she said.

• Mrs. Nene Ombala thanked with all her heart the authorities of the country and also the Church of Jesus Christ.

• Madame Arlène, wife of Mr. Kado, expressed her great joy on behalf of her family of 10 people and thanked the Church.

• Another beneficiary said, “We don't know what to say or the words to express about your actions. We couldn't have imagined receiving so many things like this; thank you very much to all those involved.”