Crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo

December, 2008

For nearly a decade the Democratic Republic of Congo has been ripped apart by a conflict that has taken the lives of over 5 million people. This deadly unrest has resulted in massive forced migrations, abductions, and child inductions while sexual violence against women has been taken to new and grotesque heights. Now, as a fresh wave of violence has erupted in the eastern part of the country, terrified civilians are once again being forced from their homes and seek shelter from the fighting.

In response to this deepening humanitarian crisis, Operation USA is partnering with FORGE, a grass roots organization dedicated to improving the health and well being of Congolese civilians caught in this seemingly endless cycle of violence and despair.

With assistance from Operation USA, FORGE has implemented a health services program for members of the Kala Refugee Camp in neighboring Zambia. Through this program, refugees are educated about disease prevention, women's and children's health, human anatomy, and healthy living. With the knowledge and skills they learn through Kala Health Services, participating refugees have a better sense of how to care for themselves and their families, and those returning to Congo can arrive home with an improved ability to care for themselves, their families, and the communities they will work to rebuild.

Click here to learn more about Kala health services and Forge:
http://www.forgenow.org/projects/13-kala-health-services

Click here to learn more about the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/congo