Hubert is a part-time student, pursuing a Masters of Sustainability and Risk Management at the Ostafalia University of Applied Science.

Thousands of Congolese workers cram into a cobalt mining pit (Siddharth Kara); image sourced from https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/phone-electric-vehicle-congo-cobalt-mine-b2277665.html

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has numerous environmental issues because of an intricate relationship of historical, political, economic, and social variables. These challenges threaten not only the country’s great biodiversity but also the financial security and health of its citizens.

One of the most significant concerns is deforestation, mostly caused by agricultural development, logging, and charcoal manufacture. According to the World Bank, the DRC has lost approximately 0.3% of its forest cover each year from 2000 to 2018. This not only decreases carbon storage capacity but also worsens soil degradation and habitat degradation, providing a threat to Indigenous communities that rely on woodland resources for food and cultural activities (World Bank, 2020).

Further, mining activities, notably for minerals such as coltan, gold, and cobalt present major risks to the environment. These activities frequently occur in environmentally sensitive locations, destroying habitats, polluting rivers with toxic substances, and degrading soil. Cobalt extraction, an essential element in batteries for electric vehicles and electronics, has been connected to deforestation and water contamination, exacerbating environmental concerns (Tsuruta et al., 2019).

Insufficient waste management systems exacerbate emissions in cities and natural areas. With increasing urbanization and growing populations, municipal waste production has risen dramatically, exceeding existing disposal systems. In places like Kinshasa, rubbish frequently moves up in rivers or open landfills, poisoning water sources and threatening the health of aquatic ecosystems. The lack of effective waste treatment facilities not only endangers populations’ health, but also leads to the deterioration of air, soil, and water quality (Schipper et al., 2019).

The impact of global warming poses another major challenge for the DRC, resulting in irregular weather patterns, a rising number of catastrophic events, and fluctuations in agricultural production. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that rising temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns are expected to exacerbate existing environmental stressors, aggravating food poverty and displacing vulnerable communities. (IPCC, 2019).

Addressing these numerous issues entails striking a balance between conservation initiatives and environmentally friendly growth goals. By tackling forest destruction, inappropriate mining activities, waste management problems, and climate change adaptation, the DRC can protect the environment while also promoting socioeconomic development.

Isaiah 24:4-6 reads “The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers, the heavens languish with the earth. The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes, and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt. Therefore earth’s inhabitants are burned up, and very few are left.” Stewardship is emphasized in these words, acknowledging that God owns the earth and that it is our responsibility to care for it with respect. They also caution against the negative effects of disobeying this obligation, such as the devastation of the ecosystem and the coming judgment of God.

References

1. World Bank. (2020). Congo, Democratic Republic of the – Forest loss (annual %). Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/AG.LND.FRST.ZS?locations=CD

2. Tsuruta, D., Murayama, T., & Nakagoshi, N. (2019). Environmental impacts of mining activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A critical review. Sustainability, 11(15), 4195.

3. Schipper, E. L., Delaney, A., D’Almeida, A., & Wilches-Chaux, G. (2019). Urban waste management in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 21(1), 182-189.

4. IPCC. (2019). IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Land. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl/.

We have received an excellent report from Eraston Kighoma about a four day ministry trip he recently took to the city of Kisangani (1.2 million people, largest city in the the northeast part of the DRC). Dr. Kighoma, who works with the Centre for Intercultural Missions and Research in Goma DRC, is an excellent example of someone who combines a passion for evangelism with deep concern for God’s creation.

Here’s a portion of his report:

As the second day, Dr Eraston Kighoma dealing with integral mission focused his teaching on the urgency to serve and join God in the restoration of the relationship of the congolese people with God, with self, with others in a conflict community, and with creation. In light of 2 Thessalonians 2:8, he called Christian student to a ministry of service and love in a broken world in which, even the creation is “awaiting the manifestation of the sons and daughters of God” (the Bible) who need to act for its restoration.

Participants decided to visit the biological zoo located at the exit of the city. Since the start of the university of Kisangani this natural forest accommodated wild protected spices of animals among which baboons, monkeys, a lion, tortoises, crocodiles, and snakes. During wars the Ugandan troops killed the lion and this park remained with few animals which are to date not well protected. It was a shock for students to realize that DRC has such great sites that fit to educate the next generation on the need to care for creation. Most students had never had the experience of seeing a live wild animal but always eat wild meet as it is sold publicly on the market. As I travelled back from Kisangani I almost cried as I saw ladies selling wild meet in the airport ground to travellers.

…

As I came back I was sick with a bit of malaria but my heart was full of the conviction that our ministry need to something in equipping Christian unions’ leaders on integral mission and care of creation. The students huge population of this city ( most of them accommodated in hostels on campuses) is such a wonderful opportunity to invest in the next generation and gain the university world in Congo for Christ through a holistic and transformational work in Kisangani. Furthermore, Kisangani is a gateway city for Isiro, Bumba, Lubutu, Nyanya, and other provinces of Nothern and Northeastern DRC. Therefore, investing in the equipment of the mission force from Kisangani is worth preparing a cross-cultural missionary endeavors that will reach the unreached areas of DRC surch as Niangara where the Mbororo have established their homes. In that vein need we need to organize the following mission work in Kisangani:

1. Organize a training on Evangelism, Discipleship and holistic Ministry (EDM) for the 25 Christian unions’ leaders and IFES leadership targeting the campuses of Kisangani

2. Organizing a mobilization conference on Care for creation in Kisangani with Christian leaders (university, church, and the National institute of conservation). This one will aim at calling these groups to team up for care of creation and encourage livelihoods activities (livestoking, farming God’s way, etc.) and thus, reduce the destruction of creation and protected species.

3. Organize a summer camp for Christian unions and youth leaders in Kisangani on the approach of Oasis of hope for holistic and transformational ministries in the context of that region.

Read his full report below.

Last May 22 the Nyriagongo volcano in the Goma region of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo erupted suddenly. A local organization, the Center for Intercultural Missions and Research led by LWCCN member Eraston Kighoma was on the scene. They have sent us a detailed report of their response. The full document can be read or downloaded here in PDF.

Here’s a brief glimpse:

To the Levites sons of Korah who were responsible to offer worship in the temple Asaph tells that “As they (those whose strength are in the Lord) pass through the Valley of Baka (valley of bitterness or suffering and pain), they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools” (Psalms 84:4-6)

If there have been opportunities to call the church to action, the sudden eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano on May 22th, 2021 was one of them. Its lava suddenly covered Mutaho villages and a major part of Buhene neighborhood leaving families homeless and in urgent need of basic livelihoods, care and shelter. Because the Buhene community had experienced an ethnic clash few months before the eruption, there are people who had not benefited from humanitarian help as they were hindered to live in established camp. CIMR ministry response , therefore, bore a holistic character as, in addition to feeding and accommodating families and individuals at the center and in Eraston’s home during the two weeks –eruption and earthquakes, the team provided a food kit and a blanket to a group of people which were found still left out (the elderly peoples and widows), provided pastoral care session to all beneficiaries, equipped 73 Christian leaders on the Christian response to the crisis in the midst of a conflict context and lastly, having pointed families to IGA as sustainable way to own their family livelihoods, is accompanying three most affected homeless family toward restoration.

Keep in mind that this is a region already torn by war for decades. Let’s keep Eraston and his community in our prayers.