Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Goma (Agenzia Fides) - “The humanitarian crisis is of drastic proportions, as the fighting brings more and more people into Goma,” Fides was informed by Giulia Pigliucci, of the Press Office of the NGO “VIS” (International Volunteer Program for Development), which is promoted by the National Salesian Center, which has just returned to Goma, the capital of North Kivu (eastern Congo), where fighting continues between the army, and pro-government militia groups, and rebels led by Laurent Nkunda. The humanitarian situation continues to worsen, as the rainy season has come and at night, the temperature drops. Goma is situated at an altitude of 1,500 meters.
“The 'Don Bosco' refugee camp run by VIS is the only one in downtown Goma. The rest are on the outskirts of the city,” says Giulia Pigliuci. “There are now 1,110 people registered, all of them women and children. Men are not accepted, in order to avoid the infiltration of guerrillas and militiamen, and for public order. We have 90 children who have come alone and who we are trying to reunite with their families. All of the children have been identified, registered, and photographed. Living outside the camp, there are 300 families who are fleeing the fighting in the camp in Rushuru and are waiting to be admitted into the camp. We are trying to find room for them all.”
The head of VIS told us a bit about the activities that are going on in the camp in Goma: “Thanks to the work of the center's director, Fr. Mario Perez, a Salesian priest from Venezuela, and four VIS volunteers (3 Italians and 1 French), the people that are accepted in the camp receive two meals per day, medical attention, and the possibility of bathing and washing their clothes. There are teachers who keep the children busy with games and educational activities, following the spirit of Don Bosco, placing education.”
The international humanitarian organizations have sent out a warning for cases of cholera reported in Goma. VIS' director affirms that “the Don Bosco Center has about 50 people with cholera. The personnel are giving them medical aid and attention. As well, in the carpentry shop at the center's school, they are making special beds for the sick and later be able to burn them, thus avoiding contamination.”
The VIS in Goma collaborates with “Doctors Beyond Borders” and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). “Our effort also implies a logistical commitment, as well. In order to simply distribute two meals a day, we need 11 tons of flour, while we listen to the sounds of fighting just kilometers away,” Giulia Pigliucci said. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 10/11/2008)
