The Gang Rapes Continue in the Congo: How to Help Women, Children and Refugees in the Congo

The violence, chaos, lack of food and illnesses such as malaria in the Democratic Republic of Congo caused 5.4 million deaths in the years since 1998, notes the International Relief Committee. Many women and girls have been gang raped.

The United Nations is trying to control the violence, but the armed gangs continue to pillage villages. CBS News reports that the violence in the Congo is the "deadliest conflict since World War II."

Gang Rape as Weapon of War

No matter how young or how old, the women of the Congo are being gang raped as armed gangs of rebels move through the villages. Rape is being used as a weapon of war. No woman or girl or sometimes even young boys are safe from this trauma.

Three Days of Violence in Luvungi

The world needs to do more to stop the violence and to reach out to those who have experienced the horrific crime of rape. The New York Times reports that in July, 2010 the village of Luvungi was attacked by rebels and many of the women there were gang raped.

The peace keepers of the United Nations stationed nearby did not react quickly enough to end the siege before much violence occurred. The United Nations has deemed the Congo the site of the worst sexual violence in the world, reports the New York Times.

The violence in the Congo is due to the riches of gold, land for farming, and tin ore. There is an immense power struggle over the control of the natural assets found in the Congo.

Reach Out & Help Women, Children and Refugees in the Congo

To help women who have been raped in the Congo and need medical treatment and counseling go HERE

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is working to help the people of the Congo. To find out how to contribute go HERE.

To sponsor a child in the Congo through World Vision, go HERE.

To help refugees of the Congo start to rebuild a new life go HERE.

Join a marathon in October and November, 2010 in Chicago, Arizona, and North Carolina to help the women of the Congo. The group Run for Congo Women has sponsored the marathons. For information go HERE.

Sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/04/world/africa/04congo.html?pagewanted=1&hp

http://www.theirc.org/special-reports/congo-forgotten-crisis?gclid=CN3wkqKvuaQCFUmA5QodYDNL0w

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/11/60minutes/main3701249.shtml