Adapted from a report published on the CAMA Web site, January 10, 2017
Last month, heavy rains caused rivers to overflow their banks in Boma, the central city of the Alliance national church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The rains began December 26.
As a result of the tragedy, 50 people are confirmed dead. Among the deceased are some of the children who recited Bible verses during the Christmas church service just days before.
Reports are that 2,115 families suffered flood damages—of these, 757 lost their homes and 1,026 lost all their belongings. Thirteen medical clinics and eighteen elementary schools also sustained heavy damage; five of the schools collapsed as a result. The search continues for the missing.
Alliance Church Provides Shelter
The Alliance church in Boma opened its facilities to provide temporary shelter for those whose homes were damaged or lost. Church volunteers have been mobilized to distribute food, water, blankets, and kitchen supplies.
The Boma District of the C&MA also organized a love offering to assist those most in need.
“Our reputation in the city is such that we were put in charge of finances to coordinate citywide relief efforts,” says Dr. Mabiala Kenzo, the C&MA national church president in Congo.
CAMA Assistance
CAMA’s Disaster Relief Fund is being tapped to help distribute new school supplies for children, provide cooking pots for every flood-affected family, and offer temporary shelter.
In one church family, a grandmother was living with her five grandchildren. “Everyone is gone after the mud-brick house collapsed and was washed away by strong currents,” Dr. Kenzo laments.
Please Pray:
- For those affected by this tragedy to experience God’s compassion and comfort through the Body of Christ
- For full provision for those who have lost homes and property
- For lost people to be drawn to Jesus in their grief