THE Church of the Province of Congo has renewed its appeal for urgent humanitarian support from the Anglican Communion to help it meet the needs of the thousands of people displaced by fighting.

Some 900,000 people have fled their homes because of violence between armed rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The Bishop of Bukavu, the Rt Revd Sylvestre Bahati Bali-Busane, has asked for prayers and continued support. The Church is one of the few institutions that can gain access to some of the worst affected areas.

Several dioceses, including Durham and Coventry, and the Australian agency the Anglican Board of Mission, sent financial assistance to the diocese of Bukavu last year.

The Anglican Alliance, which monitors the spending of grants, said that the money was spent on buying food for 200 families.

Bishop Bahati Bali-Busane has told the Anglican Alliance about rape and assaults on women, lootings, killings, food shortages, and poor sanitation in the region.

The Bishop said: "L'Église Anglicane du Congo appeals to men and women of good will to pray for the eastern part of DRC, and to continue assisting the community victims of the war."

For details of the appeal, visit www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/digest/index.cfm/2013/1/30/Dramatic-report-from-DRC-following-substantial-support-to-the-Alliances-appeal.