In late 2008, much of the world’s press have been covering the terrible suffering of displaced people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Yet at the same time suffering on an unimaginable scale has been taking place much further North in that country and within the borders of South Sudan. Yet the plight of Congolese and Sudanese peoples living in this remote region has gone largely unreported.

A terrible massacre took place in late 2008 in the Congolese town of Bangadi which is only ten miles from the border of South Sudan and 28 miles from the Sudanese town of Nzara in Western Equatoria State.

The rebels attacked at 4.00 a.m. Several hundred people were butchered with machetes, stories emerged of children being forced into grass thatched huts which were then set alight. Several hundred other women and children were kidnapped. The people responsible for committing these atrocities are called the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). The LRA had fought for over 20 years in Northern Uganda up until about two years ago when they entered into UN brokered peace talks. However, these talks have not yet resulted in any peace agreement being signed and the rebels have since strengthened their forces in the bush and are now terrorising the people of North East Congo and South Sudan.

Further attacks took place in other Congolese towns in the region and Sudanese villages close to the border. An estimated 25,000 people both Congolese and Sudanese have been forced from their homes and are now living in the open and in appalling conditions in Sudan.

IRT’s wish for 2009 is for peace and development in the region. While we have no control over peace we have started to help in a small way by providing food, shelter, blankets, cooking pots and medical services. We also need to ensure that the local communities and the refugees in these areas have access to good primary education and the opportunity to develop their own livelihoods and thus provide for themselves in the future. As part of our wish we are appealing for £250,000 to enable us to carry out this programme and reach all those who are close to Nzara and in need throughout 2009. IRT have also partnered with The Big Give to provide you or your company with imaginative ways to give, whilst enabling contributions to be made at your discretion.

If you would like to discuss what difference you or your organisation’s contribution could make to ensure that we reach all those in great need then please call IRT’s Chief Executive, Adrian Hatch on 020 8994 9210 or e-mail [email protected].