Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/GOMA, DR CONGO: Only a few displaced people are enjoying Christmas in the terrible camps of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A female Olive Pandezi told AFP that they cannot celebrate Christmas as they have nothing to eat. Pandezi said that they were celebrating in agony due to hunger and war. Another woman Sifa said that people in her hometown were making efforts to collect money to celebrate Christmas.
Christmas without food
On the occasion of Christmas, local aid agencies also run a food campaign in Kanyaruchinya and provided meals and toys to children in camps. Camille Ntoto, the chief of an aid group said that Christmas is a time for celebration for all and they are making efforts to provide food to needy people. He said that all of us should show love and generosity on the occasion of Christmas.
Many displaced persons said that the Christmas aid effort has brought smiles back to the faces of people. They said that Christmas is going well as their children have eaten. Hundreds of thousands of people took shelter in the camps of Goma due to conflict in the region. The UN’s humanitarian agency said that 510,000 people have been displaced in the Rutshuruduje area due to war between the Congolese Army and the M23 rebels.
