Christian Aid Ireland Appeal – raising support for DR Congo this Christmas

This Christmas, supporters of Christian Aid Ireland are helping to raise the alarm on war and hunger in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In the east of the country, hundreds of thousands of people have had to flee their homes to escape conflict. Many are now living in temporary camps where they face hardship including hunger and disease. Across eastern DRC, one in three people now struggles to get enough food to eat.

Among the supporters helping us to highlight the situation is Louis Grubb from Fethard in County Tipperary who agreed to be pictured with his suitcase and a water container to symbolize the meagre possessions people often take with them when they are suddenly forced to flee their homes.

Chance is one of those who saw her world turned upside down. When fighting reached her village, Chance witnessed armed men loot her shop and attack her neighbour. Carrying her two-month-old on her back and rallying her seven other children, Chance set off in search of safety. She hasn’t seen her husband since she fled her home.

After walking with her children for 50 miles, Chance found relative safety in a camp for displaced people close to the town of Kalehe in South Kivu – a province in eastern DRC. Now in a temporary shelter, she has nothing of value and fears her husband is dead. Despite having very young children to care for, Chance does agricultural work in nearby fields, earning around 50c/45p a day to buy food for the family. Chance and other displaced families in South Kivu have been supported by Christian Aid’s local partner, which has provided grants to help people afford the basics.

A spokesperson for Christian Aid Ireland told The Church Page: “Louis and his wife Jane are the founders of Cashel Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers and support our work with their donations. Louis is among 14 supporters across the island of Ireland who are taking part in this act of solidarity to help attract public attention and support our fundraising efforts.”

To support Christian Aid’s work to reach mothers like Chance this Christmas, please visit caid.ie/Christmas