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Because of the generosity of our supporters, people like Caustasie in the Democratic Republic of Congo are getting the support they need to rebuild their lives after fleeing conflict. We met back up with this brave trio, who some of you might remember from our Christmas Appeal, to see how they are getting on.
A deadly mix of conflict and climate change has left many countries facing severe levels of hunger, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Caustasie and her grandchildren, Gloria* and Emmanuel* were forced to flee their home in DRC when conflict broke out in their village. They left everything behind and travelled a long and dangerous 50-mile journey on foot to find safety in the village of Kiambi.
However, life was not easy in Kiambi: severe food shortages and increasing prices meant that, despite doing all she could, Caustasie struggled to feed the children. Sadly, (then) 20-month-old Emmanuel became seriously malnourished. Fearing for his life, Caustasie brought him to a nearby Concern-supported health clinic, where he received a course of life-saving therapeutic food.
Anny, our Health and Nutrition Officer in the DRC, recently revisited Caustasie and her grandchildren to see how they were doing and to visit the new health centre that’s been built for their community.
Both Emmanuel and Gloria are growing up quickly and it’s wonderful to see Caustasie smiling so brightly now that Emmanuel has fully recovered from malnutrition.
“Emmanuel is doing better, he talks, plays,” explains Caustasie, “Gloria is shy, but she is doing well.”
Since our Christmas Appeal, Concern has provided Caustasie with seeds, tools and training, so she can grow nutritious food to keep her grandchildren healthy - essential support for combatting child malnutrition and food shortages in her area. Anny and her team will continue to follow up on the home garden Caustasie is growing to advise her on how to get the most out of her plants.
We have also helped to replace the old health centre where Emmanuel was treated (first photo) with a rehabilitated facility (second photo), providing beds, delivery tables and more medicines too. It's great news for the community and the village chief is even preparing a celebration for the opening.
A huge thank you to everyone who donated to our Christmas appeal and supported families like Caustasie’s. Rest assured, with your support, our teams in the DRC are working hard to help tackle the hunger crisis, providing food and cash transfers, screening and treating malnutrition, and supporting people to grow their own sustainable source of food.
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