The escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has resulted in the displacement of 400,000 individuals within just five weeks. This alarming trend adds to the 4.6 million people already internally displaced in the North and South Kivu provinces as conflict intensifies. Tragically, approximately 900 lives have been lost, and these numbers are likely to rise.
As families flee their homes in search of safety, many cross into neighboring Uganda for refuge. The UNHCR Refugee Arrival Monitoring Dashboard indicates that since January 1, 2025, Uganda has been receiving an average of 270 refugees per day from the DRC.
In response to this crisis, the Global Partnership team at The United Church of Canada is focusing its efforts on collaborating with global partners. Just last week, members of the ACT Alliance issued a Call for Increased Support in light of the escalating violence and rising death tolls. The United Church of Canada is proud to partner with Église du Christ au Congo (ECC), a member of the ACT Alliance, which is actively providing food, shelter, clean water, and mental health support to affected individuals and communities. ECC is also involved in the ongoing ACT Alliance Appeal – CEA241.
This ACT Alliance Appeal aims to raise essential funds to assist displaced individuals, notably women and children in the DRC. The Global Partnership team encourages everyone to pray for those impacted by this crisis, as well as to contribute through the Global Emergency Response Fund.
We also ask for prayers for the Congolese-Canadian members of the United Church across Canada, who may have family and friends in vulnerable situations due to the conflict.
Prayer for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Heavenly Father, God of peace and justice, of comfort and grace, we come together to lift up the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly those suffering from the increasing conflict in the eastern regions.
We earnestly pray for an end to the violence, displacement, and humanitarian crisis that has left millions in urgent need of assistance. We remember the over 400,000 individuals displaced just this year, alongside the millions within North and South Kivu who are suffering, as well as countless others who have sought safety in neighboring countries.
We ask for your protection over those who have been forced from their homes and for the healing of those who return only to find their loved ones lost.
We extend our prayers to the humanitarian workers bravely risking their lives to provide essential aid and support.
O Creator, we implore you to bring peace and stability to the region. Inspire leaders and policymakers, both in Africa and worldwide, to strive for a just and lasting resolution to this conflict.
We pray for our global partners, Église du Christ au Congo and ACT Alliance, along with other faith-based, civil society, and humanitarian organizations that are working tirelessly to assist those in need. We seek the generosity of donors and partners who contribute to these efforts.
We also pray for the safety of civilians, particularly women and children, from violence and exploitation; for the restoration of basic services such as food, water, shelter, electricity, and healthcare; for the wisdom and bravery of leaders tackling the root causes of this crisis; for the global community to respond with compassion to the humanitarian demands; and ultimately for lasting peace that allows local communities to rebuild and recover.
May your love, compassion, and mercy surround the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and may your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard their hearts and minds.
We offer these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen
