DRC: CBCA on the front line in the response to covid19 and adaptation of peace work to the context of the health crisis

Responding to the mobilization of the response, the Baptist Community in the Center of Africa, through the Justice, Peace and Safeguarding of Creation Commission (JPSC) joined its efforts to those of the national and international community in the fight against the pandemic, through a campaign.

This consists of on the one hand to sensitize the community on the promotion of peace and human rights in times of Covid-19.  Other part the campaign aimed to protect and provide assistance for the benefit of the community with regard to the distribution of protective equipment, drinking water and food at certain vulnerable categories.

This operation was carried out by a team from the Task Force set up by the ecclesiastical authorities of the CBCA, based on a multidisciplinary approach:

• Peacebuilding and raising awareness for the promotion and respect of human rights in times of Covid-19

The JPSC peace actors on the ground helped the populations to break the vicious circle of violent conflict. Unfortunately, cases are observed flagrant violations of human rights, justified by measures emergency to fight the spread of the virus. These violations are committed by some members of the security forces (police). This situation is indicative of a lack of human rights education in the ranks of law enforcement, particularly in times of crisis.

The peace actions have been adapted so that they can respond to the need to build peace; despite this particular Covid-19 situation.

These peacemakers from the JPSC played a vital role: With messages of peace and of hope for this desperate population, abandoned to its sad fate by the State which confined it and which does not know how to assist it only to respond to the basic necessities (water, electricity, food, etc.). Then, by mediation in the cases of conflicts observed in families and in the community. Also, the JPSC played the role of legal and judicial; free of charge, for cases of abusive arrests launched by the police and intelligence services against people. Finally, the commission has intervened in various programs radio broadcasts on compliance with barrier measures against Covid-19 and human rights to be observed during the time of Covid-19.

Furthermore, the Commission for Justice, Peace and Safeguarding la Création produced an awareness leaflet and more than 600 copies were distributed to members of the Congolese National Police and to state offices to make them aware of respect for human rights during the response to Covid-19.

In apart from actions for the consolidation of peace and the promotion of rights human beings, the CBCA campaign also focused on the aspects following:

• Awareness of compliance with barrier measures

The community has been made aware of the need to respect barrier measures in order to protect themselves and prevent the spread of the disease. This sensitization was done through radio broadcasts and spots, social networks and through posters.

More than fifteen audiovisual educational spots were prepared and broadcast in different local languages through local radio and television channels, social networks and on the CBCA YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrNMxJXCtkJkjLrgirWxpyg).

The main message of the campaign was “Protect yourself, protect others” translated into Swahili: “jikinge, wakinge wengine”< /em>. This message has reached several thousand listeners, viewers and several Internet users whose main idea is that by protecting yourself, you are protecting your neighbors at the same time.

• The distribution of protective equipment

More 8,000 locally made mufflers were distributed to the population targeted, including motorbike and bus taxi drivers, police officers, who are much more exposed. Local initiatives have been encouraged for the local manufacture of mufflers. The various beneficiaries received also more than 800 liquid soaps, 1500 soaps and 500 bottles of disinfectants.

• Procurement drinking water and food for the poor

The supply of drinking water to the population of surrounding parts of the city of Goma which lives in shortage of drinking water. This approach made it possible to reach the indigenous population (indigenous) in Kanyaruchinya (in the territory of Nyiragongo, north of the city of Goma), and pygmies living in the village of Muja (in the same territory). Two 3000 liter water tanks were purchased and installed and 120,000 liter of water were given.

Food has been specially distributed to people elderly and widows. Given the high need compared to the planned budget CBCA for these assistance activities, 67 households each received 20 kg of rice in Goma in North Kivu. Similar support was provided to residents of Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Kampala (Uganda).

As a reminder, this is since March 11, 2020 that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that a outbreak of coronavirus viral disease, or COVID-19, identified for the first time in December 2019 in Wuhan, China had reached pandemic level world. Concerned about the alarming levels of spread and severity of the disease, WHO has called on governments to take action urgent and aggressive to stop the virus.