Democratic Republic of Congo - £15,000 - December 2008

 

A Save the Children staff member calms a little boy that has been separated from his parents while fleeing from the fighting in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He was found and brought in to Save the Children's tent by other people who were also fleeing from the conflict. (Picture: Save the Children)

The Freemasons’ Grand Charity is supporting the disaster relief work of Save the Children with an emergency grant of £15,000 towards its activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  As the result of conflict in the country more than one million people have been displaced and are vulnerable to rape, malnutrition, abduction and disease.  In recent weeks the violence has escalated forcing even more families to flee their homes.

Sadly, children have been particularly affected by the events.  Frequently they are left separated from their loved ones, traumatised and struggling to cope on their own.  The money will help Save the Children to assemble and distribute over 750 emergency kits, containing soap, a blanket, clothes and other essential items for children who have lost everything.