People sheltering in schools from fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are receiving help with basic essentials from Tearfund.
Teams have been working in two primary schools in the eastern city of Goma where hundreds of people are living in deteriorating conditions.
Conflict between the Congolese military and an armed group called M23 has led to about 150,000 civilians fleeing their homes and moving into Goma.
Tearfund staff have installed rainwater harvesting tanks connected to water points in each school which is providing the inhabitants with water for showers, cooking, cleaning and washing clothes.
Combined with soap supplies and a public health awareness campaign, the help is relieving the pressure that many are under.
Constant pressure
Mother-of-three Esperance told how before Tearfund’s intervention she had been forced to sell food to buy soap and other items.
‘At times we ended up washing our clothes and dishes without soap and they never got clean,’ she said, ‘With Tearfund’s help, I can now wash our clothes properly for the first time.’
A spokesman for the school, where students are still attending lessons, said, ‘When the displaced people first arrived we were worried for our students about disease. But on behalf of the school we wish to express our gratitude to Tearfund for providing water and training. Thank you so much.’
Although M23 forces have now withdrawn from Goma, tension is still high. Carl Becker, Tearfund’s Country Director for DRC, said, ‘The people of Goma live constantly under pressure and with the fear that at any moment the situation could suddenly deteriorate into fighting.
‘From the outside it seems that life is back to normal again, but from the inside everyone knows better.’