Don Bosco camp currently houses 21,000 internally displaced people.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
(Mission Newswire) Internally displaced people* living at Camp Don Bosco at the Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, are now able to access healthy nutrition thanks to a partnership between Salesian Mission, the U.S. development arm of the Salesian Society, and Feed My Starving Children, a nonprofit Christian organization whose mission is to “feed God’s hungry children in body and spirit.”
The donation was sent in partnership with Flexport.org, which managed the logistics and covered the shipping costs of two containers, helping 2,780 people over a three-month period in 2023. Salesian Missions plans to partner with Flexport.org for additional shipments of humanitarian aid in the future.
“The humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo has received little global attention or resources, so we created the Flexport.org Foundation to support the underfunded emergency response and help those in desperate need,” said Kristen Chapal Daunt, director of Flexport.org. “We’re truly honored to partner with Salesian Missionaries to transport life-saving food.”
The war between rebels and pro-government FARDC forces has been ongoing for nearly two years. Don Bosco Camp was established in autumn 2022. The Don Bosco Ngangi Youth Center welcomed displaced people and allowed them to use land formerly used for youth sports activities. Most of the 21,000 people currently living in the camp are displaced people from Rutshuru and Nyiragongo.
IDP camps such as Don Bosco are overcrowded and lack proper infrastructure. Living conditions are highly precarious and there is limited access to clean water, sanitation, food and medical care. In these conditions, disease, malnutrition and other health problems spread rapidly.
“The nutritious meals from Feeding the Starving Children have been warmly received by the families living in the camp. They know that they are getting the nutrition they really need and are providing healthy meals for their families. Families with children testify that the meals are nutritious and help their malnourished children recover faster,” said one Salesian.
Malnutrition is severe. War and forced displacement have disrupted people’s lives. Farmland has been abandoned, increasing poverty, food insecurity and dependency on humanitarian aid. People in the camps suffer psychological trauma, affecting their emotional well-being.
“Food donations will go a long way to helping people in the region stay fed and have a little hope for the future,” the Salesians explained.
Salesian missionaries have been working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for over 100 years, ensuring that the most vulnerable children are not forgotten. Salesian primary and secondary schools and programs lay the foundation for early learning, while Salesian trade, vocational and agricultural programs offer many young people the opportunity to build a stable and productive future.
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Photo courtesy of Salesio Missionaries (please contact us for permission to use)
Feed the hungry children
Salesian Mission – Democratic Republic of Congo
UNHCR – Democratic Republic of the Congo
*All goods, services and funds provided by Salesian Missionaries to programs in these countries were managed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
