Update from BHW DR Congo Partnership Facilitator

Recent Events

Context 

For many decades the Eastern area of the DRC has known several armed conflicts orchestrated by rebels, alleged ADF and armed local groups, particularly around the city and territory of Beni. The Beni territory is the target of atrocities by foreign rebel groups who spread terror and attack the peaceful civilian population. 2019 was the most stressful period and the rebels attacked the centre of Beni. This occurred soon after the BHW partnership facilitator had visited the area and this partnership began. This caused a great deal of alarm, it caused people to flee their areas of origin towards supposedly more secure areas.

The insecurity has degenerated, causing permanent poverty among the population. This is  characterized by more widespread vulnerability in households following the destruction of the means of subsistence for the socio-economic recovery of the population. This has proceeded well into 2020 and it threatens to overwhelm sustainable development in the region. Around 70% of the population of Beni territory have moved to other cities, including Butembo, Kasindi, Goma, Ituri and the neighbouring country of Uganda. The field worker and his family had to flee Beni for a period and went to Uganda but he has subsequuently returned to Beni. 

This destabilization left basic services like health facilities and schools severely lacking. The existing dual tragedies of humans being killed and the Ebola epidemic have combined in these regions to leave a legacy of extreme poverty, orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs). Then came COVID-19.

Loan Groups

Two self-help women's loan groups with 20 women in each were commenced in Beni and they began well despite the tailing off of the Ebola epidemic. However, as that died out there was an upsurge in violence and in one fell swoop, most of the projects collapsed. There was a major attack on the government which destroyed the centre of the town right near the market place where most women sold their wares. People were afraid to come to the area so there were few customers.

Then the truck carrying much of their produce, which they had paid for, was attacked and destroyed so they lost their product and their money. And, then came COVID. By the end of May 2020 none of the businesses were functioning and only 20% of the original capital remained. 

The plight of the women and their families was dire and we agreed to come alongside them as part of our committment to our partners, and funds were sent in an attempt to rehabilitate as many people as possible. US$7,320, the same amount as the previous year, was sent for the following purposes:
- Food assistance for 90 people and their families which includes rice, beans and salt. This will last for the period until their gardens are producing.  
- Seeds to be given to the 90 families for planting including cabbage, eggplant and amaranth. They will then continue to plant using the income from the previous crop.
- Tools to be shared in the groups – sprayer, insecticide, watering cans   
- 3-months training in hygiene and installation of a hand washing station. A sink will be placed at the large crossroad and small market in Beni to serve all those in the project area in order to fight against Ebola/COVID-19. Sanitiser will also be provided.     
- Five, 1-day trauma counselling sessions for those who have been affected by the instability in the area and loss of family members.       
- Support of the field officer, transport and reporting costs   

However, it was not possible to reestablish the majority of people in their original places.  In partnership with Dolsys Germany they acquired 15 ha of land to start responding to the poverty through an agribusiness project. The project has absorbed some of women who fled from Beni and some from the host community. The partnership invested in land acquisition and preparation and vulnerable women, their husbands and youth were involved in seed planting and caring for the crops until harvest, getting a little support for their livelihood. When the crops are harvested and sold in the local market the beneficiaries will have a share of the profits to sustain their livelihood.

The land is 17-20 km southwest of Beni where the rebels are not operating and where many people from Beni and surrounding areas fled to as a refuge place.

Partnership's Influence within the Community

This is very hard to gauge from a distance and without visiting and talking with the stakeholders. However, this funding has enabled them to remain active in difficult times.  

Ideas for the Future

There are many ideas on the table including some listed below. However, until the violence subsides and COVID-19 is brought under control, it is unlikey that any development will happen. There may be ongoing needs for some relief. 

- Water filters for villages and population centres as many use ground water.
- More self-help loan groups - there is a huge demand for these
- Vocational training for young women and men, tailoring, carpentry, cycle and motor cycle repair, welding etc. 

Current Issues and Challenges

The challenges here are almost innumerable:

The ongoing militia conflicts. Every day attacks are occurring with devastating outcomes. The government is powerless to intervene. The UN is now part of the problem, they keep the conflict going so they can be paid international wages. 

COVID-19 continues to cause many deaths and to keep small businesses closed. 

Increasing crime as a result of increased poverty. This reaches into all areas of society. 

Prayer and Praise Points

1) That they have been able to assist so many to resettle and gain some income in such a difficult environment.
2) That there will be lasting peace established despite all the barriers to that. 

Comments

I think that it would be unwise to invest more into this in the foreseeable future. It is just too difficult to know how this will go and development is very difficult in a place as unstable as this. We will continue to monitor the situation here closely and reassess things in July prior to sending any more funds which are due to be sent in August.