June 08, 2018
By Edward Lewis

The DRC has experienced political instability including ethnic violence for many years now. Millions have had to flee their homes as troubles have flared up sporadically despite international attempts to bring peace. It’s the innocent who find themselves caught up being separated from loved ones, traveling to safe places but without food supplies, water or basic provisions.

Earlier this year violence erupted between Lendu and Hema ethnic groups resulting in the displacement… of over 25,000 people in Tchomia where people fled in fear of violence, revenge killings and rape. With the help of JOA funding Tearfund and their local partner Action Entraide were able to provide emergency supplies to over 15,000 individuals for one month. This photo shows the distribution of these good that include rice, beans and salt and non-food items such as water jerry cans, cooking and buckets.

Sadly the outlook is rather bleak– many Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who tried to go back home are reported to have been killed, discouraging many others who were willing to return.

In 2017, Jersey donated almost £3m in emergency aid, which reached hundreds of thousands of people in 17 countries. We have responded to hurricanes, droughts, earthquakes, and outbreaks of cholera and plague. We have also supported civilians affected by conflict, particularly in Yemen and Syria, some of the worst humanitarian crises in a generation.