Dear Friends of Congo Initiative,

Greetings from the UCBC community in Beni. I felt compelled to share this update with you, knowing that you continue to carry us in prayer.

Thank you for your steadfast support of the church in eastern DRC, particularly in the Beni region and within the UCBC community. As you know, beyond the ongoing persecution by the ADF armed group, our region is also severely impacted by the escalating war between government forces and the M23 rebels. Following the rebels’ capture of Goma, Bukavu has also fallen, triggering a massive displacement of people fleeing towards Beni and Lubero Territories.

In recent weeks, after the takeover of Bukavu, the dormant front in the southern part of Lubero territory has reactivated. The rebels are now advancing north toward Lubero, Butembo, Beni, and potentially Ituri. In response, our Crisis Management Team, led by our Chief Administrator, is meeting at least twice a week to monitor developments and provide updates, ensuring that we make informed decisions for the safety of our community.

During such critical times, two of our key programs—Bethesda Counseling Center (BCC) and Church Renewal and Global Mission (CRGM)—remain active, offering much-needed psycho-social support, trauma healing, and guidance to frontline workers serving in this unstable environment. Churches in Beni are witnessing a significant rise in attendance each Sunday, as many displaced individuals seek refuge, holistic care, and spiritual support.

Despite the uncertainty, classes continue at UCBC, ABC, and La Charité Bilingue, and training remains ongoing through the Holistic Family Development program. However, our Natural Resource Governance (NRG) Project Manager, who was based in Goma, had relocate to Beni while his family seeks refuge in Kampala. Additionally, the provincial land administration office, which he was supporting, has been completely looted. Most donors, including UNDP and ZOA International have suspended funding for our Natural Resource Governance projects, choosing to wait until the situation stabilizes. Should the rebels continue their advance toward Butembo and Beni, we may be forced to temporarily suspend all activities to allow our community members to seek safety. We are fervently praying that it does not come to that.

Beni has historically served as a refuge, spared by divine grace from the worst in the past. It was a sanctuary for those displaced by the Ituri ethnic war and other rebel conflicts in the early 2000s. We pray it remains so today.

Meanwhile, MONUSCO has begun evacuating its staff, both national and international, to safer areas—relocating national staff and their families to Kinshasa and moving international personnel to Entebbe for remote work. As a result, ABC, one of our primary schools, has already lost 50 students. Yet, despite these challenges, we remain committed to our calling—to stand with our community, even in adversity, as we continue our mission of transformation by raising changemakers and servant leaders.

We deeply appreciate any form of support during this time. Above all, let us join together in fervent prayer, seeking God’s lasting peace and protection over His people. He has promised to be with us even in times such as these.

In Christ,

Dr. Honoré B. Kwany
Rector
l’Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC)
Beni, North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo