A homecoming without a home

A mother’s plea amid the ruins

Aimee is one of many mothers trying to survive in the ruins of her old community. She returned to Malehe with her children after years of living at a displacement site – only to find their house destroyed.

‘Two years ago, we fled to Kimashini and arrived at a camp for displaced people, where we stayed for two years,’ she says. ‘A few weeks ago, we were encouraged to return home to Malehe.

‘Once back here with my children, I found that our home had been destroyed. So, we built a hut, which is where we live now, in very poor conditions, particularly in terms of food.

‘We really need help: if I could find a little money, I could sell products and rebuild my house. I would love to rebuild a house like the one I had before. Please help us: we are starving. Here, there are schools, but our children don’t study, because we no longer have the means to pay for uniforms and notebooks. We also have hospitals here, but we don’t have money to pay for care and treatment. Pregnant women give birth on the bare ground.

‘We, the mothers, are really suffering. We really don’t know what to do anymore.’

A vital lifeline from Scotland

Thanks to funding from the Scottish Government, Tearfund and our trusted local partner Eglise Anglicane du Congo (Anglican Church of Congo) Goma Diocese are now providing life-saving support in Malehe.

‘We are incredibly grateful for this vital funding which arrives at a critical time for communities in North Kivu,’ says Poppy Anguandia, Tearfund’s Country Director in DRC.

‘The intensification of conflict has led to widespread displacement and immense suffering, with many returnees in Malehe finding their homes destroyed and livelihoods lost. This support will enable us to provide immediate, life-saving assistance where it's needed most.’

In total, 925 conflict-affected households – around 5,550 people – will receive one money transfer to help cover their most urgent food and non-food needs. Families will be able to decide how best to use the funds, whether for food, clothes, shelter or school materials. For many, it’s a first step towards restoring dignity and independence.

Alongside this, 9,000 girls, women, boys and men will be reached with sessions that raise awareness about how to stay safe, where to find help and how to protect themselves and others from violence or abuse. Survivors will be invited to support groups and directed to specialised services, helping communities recover and stay safe where risk remains high.

For 925 women and girls, essential hygiene items will be provided, vital to preserving dignity in overcrowded, under-resourced settings.

This kind of support gives families the dignity of choice, and it’s a crucial step towards recovery and resilience.

Dignity and safety

This project is supporting the most vulnerable households, helping restore dignity and safety to people who have lost everything.

Tearfund has been working in the DRC since 1986. In the past decade alone, our work has reached more than 2.2 million people across more than 200 communities, through partnerships with trusted local organisations.

This Scottish-funded project builds on those decades of experience and is being implemented in collaboration with the Anglican Church of Congo, Goma Diocese, an NGO with deep community roots. Their teams are already on the ground, ensuring this support reaches the people who need it most.

Responding to a forgotten crisis

DRC’s crisis rarely makes UK headlines, but the suffering is deep and widespread.

Bee Roy, Head of Tearfund Scotland, recently welcomed Country Director Poppy Anguandia to Scotland and heard firsthand how serious the situation is.

‘We are incredibly thankful to the Scottish Government for having a fund like the Humanitarian Emergency Fund that responds to hidden crises around the world,’ says Bee.

‘When Poppy visited Scotland recently, we were all deeply moved by the immense challenges faced by families in DRC right now. This funding is both timely and deeply needed – and we are committed to making sure it is spent well, bringing immediate relief and longer-term hope.

‘We also want to thank our amazing supporters and churches across Scotland who have been praying for the people of DRC and giving generously to our appeal. Your love and solidarity are changing lives.’

Oxfam is also receiving funding from the Scottish Government for its work in the region, as part of a coordinated humanitarian response. Together, these efforts are making a tangible difference. But the need remains great.

How you can help

This funding will provide urgent support to more than 9,000 people. But many more families are still in desperate need.

🙏 Please pray for peace, safety and strength for communities in the DRC.

💷 Give today to Tearfund’s DRC Appeal: 👉 www.tearfund.org/drc

Together, we can bring hope, restore dignity and help families take the next step towards rebuilding their lives.