February 2024 Update & Immediate Prayer Needs
February 2024 Update
Increased Fighting in DRC Displaces Millions
A dramatic increase in violence from the armed rebel group M23 continues to wreak havoc on Eastern Congo — worsening this week as the rebels advance towards Goma, a major city home to over a million Congolese people. Clashes between the rebels, army forces, and self-defense groups have escalated, forcing entire communities to flee for safety in the oversaturated city and surrounding displacement camps.
Exile's teams report hearing bombs exploding in the distance and gunfire outside the walls of the residential HQ as rebel violence closes in on the city. Locals fear the violence could shut down major roads — interfering with their ability to access basic necessities and receive much-needed humanitarian aid.
The war in Congo has displaced a record-breaking 7 million and is regarded by many in the international community as the world's largest ongoing humanitarian crisis. With fighting imminent and resources dwindling, the people of Congo covet your support and prayers in their daily fight for survival.
A dramatic increase in violence from the armed rebel group M23 continues to wreak havoc on Eastern Congo — worsening this week as the rebels advance towards Goma, a major city home to over a million Congolese people. Clashes between the rebels, army forces, and self-defense groups have escalated, forcing entire communities to flee for safety in the oversaturated city and surrounding displacement camps.
The war in Congo has displaced a record-breaking 7 million and is regarded by many in the international community as the world's largest ongoing humanitarian crisis. With fighting imminent and resources dwindling, the people of Congo covet your support and prayers in their daily fight for survival.
Source: France 24 News
Get the Facts:
- Over 7 million individuals have been forcibly displaced from their homes and are currently living in displacement camps — a number growing each day.
- An additional 144,000 have been displaced since February 7th, when fighting began reaching new communities just outside Goma.
- 100 youth in Exile's programs remain in M23-occupied territories, jeopardizing their safety.
- 520 youth in Exile's programs remain unaccounted for after running for safety earlier this week. Leaders are actively searching for these youth in nearby displacement camps.
Get the Facts:
- Over 7 million individuals have been forcibly displaced from their homes and are currently living in displacement camps — a number growing each day.
- An additional 144,000 have been displaced since February 7th, when fighting began reaching new communities just outside Goma.
- 100 youth in Exile's programs remain in M23-occupied territories, jeopardizing their safety.
- 520 youth in Exile's programs remain unaccounted for after running for safety earlier this week. Leaders are actively searching for these youth in nearby displacement camps.
Exile's teams report hearing bombs exploding in the distance and gunfire outside the walls of the residential HQ as rebel violence closes in on the city. Locals fear the violence could shut down major roads — interfering with their ability to access basic necessities and receive much-needed humanitarian aid.
Intercede for Congo
During times like these, when fear and heartache overwhelm us, we're reminded God is always faithful and near to the brokenhearted. Humbly, we ask you to join us in daily prayer — bringing these requests before the only One who is sovereign and mighty to save.
Prayer Requests from DRC Staff:
- Pray for displaced children & families: May the Lord watch over them and give them peace. Ask the Lord to protect them and meet their every need. Pray boldly that the war will end and they can return home safely soon.
- Pray for Exile's staff, volunteers, and pastors: May the Lord strengthen their weary hearts and give them everything they need to continue serving with courage and compassion. Ask the Lord to protect their own children and families, in addition to the youth they serve. Pray for renewed strength, safety, and endurance for every member of the Exile family in DRC.
- Pray for the safety of unaccounted youth: Ask the Lord to help Exile's teams locate these boys and girls quickly. Pray they are protected from abduction and violence until they are found and reconnected with their caregivers.
- Pray for children and staff residing in M23-occupied territories: Ask the Lord to protect these children and their families from rebel violence. We pray boldly that no child will be abducted and forced into armed conflict. May the Lord drive the rebels away from their communities — restoring their lives to peace and safety.
- Pray M23 rebels are stopped before surrounding and occupying Goma: Pray the Lord drives away rebel soldiers before they reach the provincial capital, home to 2+ million Congolese. Ask the Lord to fortify the city, protecting it from falling under rebel siege.
- Pray against food shortages and inflation in Goma: Ask the Lord to drive back rebel soldiers who've closed down major roads, preventing food and other necessities from reaching the city. May the Lord provide for the people of Goma, making a way for their needs to be met in the face of dwindling resources and skyrocketing prices.
- Pray for Christ's Kingdom to come: That the hearts of the rebel soldiers would be transformed by the Holy Spirit, bringing peace to a nation known by war and violence. Ultimately, we pray that more people — rebels and civilians alike — would come to know Jesus as their Savior through this time of uncertainty. May the Lord's Spirit fall over the nation and capture the hearts of His children.
- Pray for displaced children & families: Ask the Lord to protect them and meet their every need. Pray boldly that the war will end and they can return home safely soon.
- Pray for Exile's staff, volunteers, and pastors: Pray for renewed strength, safety, and endurance for every member of the Exile family in DRC.
- Pray for the safety of unaccounted youth: Ask the Lord to help Exile's teams locate these boys and girls quickly.
- Pray for children and staff residing in M23-occupied territories: Ask the Lord to drive the rebels away from their communities — restoring their lives to peace and safety.
- Pray M23 rebels are stopped before surrounding and occupying Goma: Ask the Lord to fortify the city, protecting it from falling under rebel siege.
- Pray against food shortages and inflation in Goma: Ask the Lord to drive back rebel soldiers who've closed down major roads.
- Pray for Christ's Kingdom to come: Ultimately, we pray that more people — rebels and civilians alike — would come to know Jesus as their Savior through this time of uncertainty. May the Lord's Spirit fall over the nation and capture the hearts of His children.
We encourage you to write these prayer requests down where you'll see them daily, interceding for a different need each day.
Share these needs with prayer warriors you know and love — your family, friends, and church groups. Let's unite the body of Christ in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Congo, falling to our knees together before the Father.