Eastern DRC residents flee as the M23 rebel group seizes further territory in the east of the country on January 26, 2025. (photo: AFP/Jospin Mwisha)
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As the fighting has waned and civilians return to the streets of Goma, Eastern DRC, days after the M23 rebels seized control, the situation is grim. Join Africa New Day as we respond to this crisis through prayer, advocacy, and meeting financial needs.
Security & Access: The cessations fighting in order to protect lives, along with humanitarian and civilian access to basic facilities and communication systems.
Access to water: The majority of the water infrastructure has been cut in the city and civilians are dependent on finding their own supply. The displaced and vulnerable are cut off from support and access.
Trauma response supplies & support: Many civilians are experiencing highly traumatic events and there is an escalation (according to the UN) of sexual violence and rape, increasing the risk to women in Goma and greater Kivu.
Africa New Day's Response Strategies
Our response focuses on the 3000 staff and beneficiaries already being served by Africa New Day programs in Goma and we are coordinating with other response agencies and partners. We are starting by distributing water and food to the most vulnerable in our group, and are expanding to the rest as resources are available. We need financial support to provide water, food, communication credit, and trauma response support (see the table below for a detailed breakdown).
How You Can Support
1. Continue to join us in prayer for God's protection and provision for the civilians effected by the escalation of violence and the Africa New Day team on the ground in Goma.
2. CLICK HERE to join our Action Network campaign and quickly and easily send a letter to the President, Vice-President, and your representatives asking them to take action to restore peace and aid to Goma and the Kivu region of the DRC.
3. Financially support our efforts to meed the general needs of the effected people in Goma and the displaced due to this conflict. See the table below to find out how your donation will be used. As little as a $15 dollar donation can be life changing.
I am writing to express my deep concern over the recent event in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. As various allies and the United Nations have documented, Rwandan support for M23 has further exacerbated violence and instability in the region.
The M23 rebellion has been destabilizing eastern Congo for years. Rwandan support for M23 has allowed the group to take control over large swaths of territory in the North Kivu province and inflict heinous human rights violations including mass displacement, sexual violence, and the targetting of civilians. This cannot be tolerated by the international community, particularly the United States, as one of Rwanda’s major allies.
As I’m sure you are aware, M23 recently seized control of Goma. With a population of over 2 million and as the center for decades of international security and humanitarian initiatives, it is crucial that Rwanda and M23 troops withdraw from the city immediately to prevent further violence, displacement, and regional instability.
The United States of America has a significant role to play in holding Rwanda accountable. Therefore, I urge you to take firm and immediate steps to prevent escalating violence and conflict in the region by taking the following actions:
Urge the U.S. government to apply diplomatic pressure on the Rwandan government to halt its support for M23 and withdraw any and all troops from Goma.
Support sanctions against any individuals and entities that support the activities and violence of the M23 militia group in line with existing U.S. and UN frameworks.
Advocate for increased support for peace-building, conflict resolution, humanitarian aid, and economic development to help the Congolese build towards a bright and peaceful future.
This issue represents a humanitarian crisis and a fundamental test of U.S. foreign policy. By taking a strong stance towards ongoing aggression in eastern Congo, we can show that the United States of America remains committed to supporting peace, human rights, and stability in Africa and throughout the world.
I thank you for your time, attention, and efforts towards this urgent matter.
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