Orphanage destroyed in DRC by fire

 An electrical fire destroyed an orphanage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Wednesday. More than 200 children and adults escaped unharmed, and International Christian Concern (ICC) is committed to helping the owners rebuild. 

ICC has supported the overcrowded orphanage with emergency supplies over the past year, including food, medicine, safe water, clothing, mattresses, and a fish farm. The children, from babies to teens, were orphaned by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorist group that killed their parents and ravaged their Christian communities. 

The Christian couple that has run the 30-year orphanage on a small plot of land risked their lives to save the children. The husband and wife have been overwhelmed and stretched beyond their limits recently, as more orphans are brought to them. The ADF storms through communities and kills Christians regularly – babies are found still clinging to their dead mothers and brought to the orphanage weekly. 

The ADF has been around since 1995 and was formally affiliated with the Islamic State in 2019. The United States government named the Islamist extremists a terrorist group in 2021. ICC also called out the terrorists in its comprehensive 2022 Persecutor of the Year report.

ICC asks for prayers for the children to find shelter in nearby refugee camps. 

ADF strikes again in DRC

 Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) killed one during an attack in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).  

A truck driver, identified as Wangeve Ghislain, was shot to death Sunday morning along the Beni-Kasindi road at the Kalindumbu, and his truck was set ablaze. He and his assistant were ambushed as they made the early morning trip to deliver goods. Wangeve’s assistant escaped with injuries.  

The villagers of Kalindumbu blamed the rebels affiliated with the Islamic State jihadist group for their continued attacks on innocent Christians who work hard to make ends meet.  

“What benefit does it bring them [ADF] when they kill us? We are all working hard to provide for our needs and the needs of all the Congolese people, but these attacks have been a setback to the development of the region, despite the ongoing Congolese and Uganda Armies’ joint operation to clear the ADF rebels from the territory,” said one resident.  

The incident occurred two days after the Semuliki crossing point ambush, leaving three people dead, vehicles burned, and a boat destroyed.  

In a separate attack, seven people were injured when the ADF rebels launched a night assault in Katongo fields in Kasindi on May 12, looting their livestock and causing many Christians to flee from their farms.  

Religious leaders in Nord Kivu have called upon the government to protect people against the ADF Islamist group that has caused instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for two decades.  

“These recent incursions are just the tip of an iceberg, as we, the Congolese people, continue to bear the brunt of terror from this group almost every day as many cases go unreported,” continued the resident. “We have lost four people in four days, and if we were to go by statistics, one Christian is killed every day in Eastern DRC. We urge the government to tighten security and intensify the operation to keep all people safe from these terrorists.” 

For interviews, please contact: press@persecution.org.