The remains of the hospital attacked in Congo DRC.
During the attack on a hospital in North Kivu (Democratic Republic of Congo), several Christians were killed, including a Catholic nun.
On Thursday 20 October a hospital in Maboya, in the province of North Kivu (eastern Democratic Republic of Congo), was attacked by terrorists from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). Dr Marie Sylvie Kavuke Vakatsuraki (37), a Catholic nun, was shot in the head while she was praying. “Then her body was consumed by the flames that devoured the hospital, following the bombs thrown inside,” says a nun present on the spot.
Other victims in mourning
In addition to Marie Sylvie, a hospital patient was shot dead while trying to escape. And at least eight other people were killed in the city of Maboya: two women, several merchants and a man who was murdered in his home (his children were kidnapped). But also caretaker of a health center, 70 years old. The ADF terrorists caused further damage to two health facilities. Two pharmacies and several shops were ransacked and burned. Several people are missing following the attack.
A patient from one of the health centers said: “The terrorists took the young nurses away. I cannot estimate their number. Apart from the girls, they took all the medicines they found in the hospital ”.
A survivor thanks God
A survivor of Maboya’s attack, Christine (pseudonym), thanks God for saving her life: “I fled into the bush and spent two days there. I don’t know how I managed to get out of the hospital with my son, because I barely woke up from the anesthesia. “She continues:
“Glory to God for the life he gave me! I sincerely thank the Christians from all over the world who pray for us ”.
A local church leader, Abbe, deplores the terrorist act: “They want Christians to be dead,” he said. Maboya is a predominantly Christian town. Its health center has served thousands of people in the city and surrounding areas. Without these vital and life-saving centers, Christians are vulnerable: they will have to travel unsafe roads to receive medical treatment. “Oh, how we cry! We ask Christians from all over the world to come to our aid! ” exclaims a Christian from the region.
A deadly month of October
In October alone, more than 10 attacks were attributed to ADF in the rebel provinces of North Kivu and Ituri. At least 65 people were killed. These recurrent attacks have led to large population shifts. The displaced are living in deplorable conditions, deprived of basic necessities: food, clothing and shelter.
Reverend Agupio Mani, an elder church leader in Ituri province, says:
“The situation is serious. We must raise the alarm to all the churches in the world: the eastern part of the DRC and in particular the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu are on fire”.
He concludes: “What is happening in this region is very serious. Lord, look with mercy on these provinces where Christians suffer and on all these people who are dispersed, who no longer know how to survive … ».
