Sudden torrential rains over two days of December 2022 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo killed more than 120 people and affected hundreds of others.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worked with the interdenominational charitable organization Women of Faith to give food and emergency supplies to 820 households. Priority was given to women, senior citizens and orphans most affected by the flooding, reported the Church’s Africa Newsroom.
The distribution took place over the course of Jan. 18-19 at the municipal centers of Bandalungwa and Mont-Ngafula. Members of the Women of Faith organization and 10 full-time missionaries from Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa West Mission distributed the aid.
Elder David Ngabizele, an Area Seventy over Kinshasa, and President Nzuzi Emmanuel Khonde, president of the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Mont Ngafula Stake, gave remarks and helped with the distribution.
Elder Ngabizele underscored the love that Church members show for others by paying their tithes and offerings. He bore witness that Christ is the Prince of Peace in whom people can find lasting peace and comfort despite their mortal trials.
Other recent relief efforts in Africa
The Church also worked with Women of Faith to give emergency supplies to victims of conflict in the Kivu district of Democratic Republic of the Congo in September 2022.
Uwimana Biraro Josephine said the donations “have given us back a smile and hope that we lost for a while.”
In June 2022, the Church donated nearly $1 million to help relieve suffering after flooding in South Africa. The donation helped more than 8,700 households obtain relief in KwaZulu-Natal.
Late 2022 brought the worst flooding Nigeria had seen in a decade. More than 1.5 million people were displaced. In order to provide some relief, the Church donated food and supplies to victims staying in camps and temporary facilities.
