Ron Lubungo, a leader in the Church of the Brethren in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), reported on the use of an Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) grant from the Church of the Brethren for COVID-19 relief. A grant of $12,000 to the Brethren in the DRC was given to provide emergency food to 550 households from five congregations and the communities around them.
“We have the funds, we started already to distribute the relief to the people,” Lubungo wrote.
“Our government has decided to close all borders, schools, religious services, on the national level and in our province South Kivu. The city of Bukavu, Uvira and Fizi, is isolated from other cities in the province of South Kivu. The provincial government made this decision on April 1, at the end of the council of ministers, held under the leadership of the governor. This is to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the province.
“Residents of Bukavu are also banned from moving into the interior of the province. All ports, airports, and airfields, even the roads are closed as of April 2 for the transportation of people, exception made for freight and cargo. The closure of all roads leading to the territories is except for vehicles transporting food and other basic necessities. There is a ban on sailing on the lake for the transport of people.
“More than 100 people are victims of COVID-19, 8 have already died. Coronavirus causes fear among the Congolese.”