Shalom Africa Ministries, in collaboration with Harvest Fields Christian Fellowship and Africa Time, have been recently focusing on the issues facing vulnerable Congolese people in the Eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Studies are being conducted in regard to safe and secure options of how to help the victims of rape and war in the Eastern part of the D.R.C.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a vast country with immense economic resources. These resources are attracting multinational corporations and several governments to fuel the crisis and keep the country in chaos. The D.R.C. has been at the centre of what could be termed “Africa's world war”. The killings and raping have been referred too “The Silent Genocide” This has left it in the grip of a humanitarian crisis. The six-year conflict pitted government forces, supported by Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe, against rebels backed by Uganda and Rwanda. Despite a peace deal and the formation of a transitional government in 2003, people in the east of the country remain in terror of marauding militia and the army.

Therefore, Shalom Africa, along with its associates is striving to set up programmes geared to restore hope among the victims, equip and empower them for a self-sufficient balanced life.

STATISTICS

Location: Central Africa

Population: 68,692,542 (July 2009 est.)

Area: 2,345,410 sq km

Ethnic Groups: As many as 250 ethnic groups, the most numerous are the Kongo, Luba and Mongo.

Languages: French, Lingala, Swahili, Kikongo and Tshiluba

Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Kimbanguist, Muslim, Indigenous beliefs

Life expectancy: 46 years (men), 49 years (women) (UN)

Monetary unit: 1 Congolese franc = 100 centimes

Main exports: Diamonds, Gold, Copper, Coffee, Cobalt, Crude Oil, Wood Products, Coltan

With the consent of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the America’s national institution for the documentation, study, and interpretation of Holocaust history, and serves as the country’s memorial to the millions of people murdered during the Holocaust [www.ushmm.org], Shalom Africa is grateful and honoured to use following facts and informative materials.