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:

• La consolidation de la paix et la sensibilisation à la promotion et au respect des droits humains en période de la Covid-19

Les acteurs de paix de la JPSC sur le terrain ont aidé les populations à briser le cercle vicieux des conflits violents. Malheureusement, il est observé des cas de violations flagrantes des Droits de l’Homme, justifiées par des mesures d’urgence pour lutter contre la propagation du virus. Ces violations sont commises par quelques membres des forces de l’ordre (police). Cette situation est révélatrice d’un déficit d’éducation aux Droits Humains dans les rangs de forces de l’ordre, particulièrement en période de crise.

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

 Ces acteurs de paix de la JPSC ont joué un rôle vital:  Par des messages de paix et d’espoir pour cette population désespérée, abandonnée à son triste sort par l’Etat qui l’a confiné et qui ne sait l’assister seulement pour répondre aux besoins de première nécessité (Eau, électricité, nourritures, …). Ensuite, par la mediation dans les cas des conflits observés dans les familles et dans la communauté. Aussi, la JPSC a joué le role de l’accompagnateurs juridiques et judiciaires ; à titre gratuit, pour les cas d’interpellations abusives lancées par les services de police et de renseignement contre les personnes. Enfin, la commision est intervenue dans differentes émissions radiodiffusées sur le respect des mesures barrières contre la Covid-19 et les droits humains à observer pendant la période de la 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:

• La sensibilisation au respect des mesures barrières

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.

Plus de quinze spots éducatifs audiovisuels étaient préparés et diffusés dans différentes langues locales à travers les chaînes radios et télévisions locales, les réseaux sociaux et sur la chaine YouTube de la CBCA (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrNMxJXCtkJkjLrgirWxpyg).

Le message principal de la campagne était « Protégez-vous, protégez les autres » traduit en swahili : « jikinge, wakinge wengine ». Ce message a atteint plusieurs milliers d’auditeurs, téléspectateurs et plusieurs internautes dont l’idée principale est qu’en vous protégeant, vous protégez en même temps vos voisins.

• La distribution des matériels de protection

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.

• L’approvisionnement en eau potable et vivres en faveur de démunis

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.