In countries around the world, MCC works in the name of Christ to meet basic needs. In eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where violence has caused many people to be displaced more than once, Msawato school grounds filled with those seeking shelter. MCC funded two food distributions in partnership with the Church of Christ of Congo's Ministry of Refugees and Emergencies (ECC-MERU) at the school. Photo by Michael Sharp
Mitterand Aoci, who works for the Church of Christ of Congo's Ministry of Refugees and Emergencies (ECC-MERU) in North Kivu, eastern Congo, stands beside cooking oil which is part of an MCC-funded food distribution. Photo by Michael Sharp
Kundo Birusha, who is married and has three children, carries rations from an MCC-funded food distribution to her shelter at Msawato school, eastern Congo. MCC is responding the needs of people who have been displaced over time and as recently as November. Read about MCC’s response following a November 2012 takeover of the city of Goma, or see the reflections of MCC’s program directors after previous visits to the region. Photo by Michael Sharp
In the midst of drought and continued violence in Somalia, many families fled to Dhobley, Somalia, near the Kenya border. Through a partner organization, World Concern, MCC funded vouchers that displaced families could use to purchase items such as mosquito nets, sheeting and basic household supplies. Mohamed Ibrahim Abdullahi, left, of World Concern, gives vouchers to Adam Nuriye Sambul of the Africa Rescue Committee, which distributes them. Photo by Allan Juma
At Amani Primary School in in the Dadaab refugee camp complex in northeast Kenya, sisters (from left) Fartum, Amina and Amran Abdi Kule hold their new MCC school kits. MCC responded through Lutheran World Federation to provide more than 39,000 school kits, 6,100 comforters, 500 sewing kits and some 1,300 pounds of fabric for sewing classes in the Dadaab complex. Photo by Allan Juma
In Lusaka, Zambia, Kathy Fast of Winnipeg, Man., who with her spouse Eric serves as MCC representative for Zambia, contacts MCC partners about distributing a newly arrived shipment of material resources, while taking a break from unloading items such as MCC AIDS caregiver kits, comforters, linens and mattress covers. Photo by Donna Martens
Lirance Haadinke, a nurse at Brethren in Christ Macha Mission Hospital, stands by a table of MCC comforters. The hospital, located in rural Choma district in southern Zambia, received 100 AIDS caregiver kits, some extra linens and mattress covers, as well as 350 comforters in this 2012 shipment. Photo by Donna Martens
Sephania Sitta, a student at the School for Disabled Children in Lusaka, Zambia, which serves students from about 5 to 16 years old, shows his MCC comforter, while teacher Hellen Kankasela Chikalamu looks on. Each student received an MCC comforter and school kit. During several visits to the school, which is part of MCC-funded peace club activities, MCC workers noticed the dedication of the teachers who are themselves living with disabilities. Photo by Donna Martens
In December 2012, children from Syrian refugee families in Sidon, Lebanon, receive MCC school kits and health kits. In addition, Sarah Adams of Westerville, Ohio, MCC representative for Syria and Lebanon, shared with children how volunteers in Canada and the U.S., including children, put together these kits. Photo by Rami Shamma
Ruba Haddad, Caritas Jordan case worker, meets with Syrian refugees at a Caritas community center in Mafraq, Jordan. MCC works with Caritas Jordan by providing material aid for Syrian refugees arriving in Jordan. Caritas Jordan also provides services for refugees from other countries. Read more about this work in the Winter issue of A Common Place, MCC’s quarterly magazine. Photo by Silas Crews
MCC hygiene kits, relief kits and comforters meet basic needs of Syrian refugees who have fled to Jordan. From left, Wajdi Sahawne, a caseworker for MCC partner Caritas Jordan and Hussam Nasrawne, a supervisor for a Caritas Jordan center in Mafraq, assemble supplies for refugees. Behind them are bales of comforters and boxes of hygiene kits. Photo by Silas Crews
In Jordan, thousands of MCC comforters are sheltering refugees who fled fighting in Syria. Walid (last name not used for security reasons) snuggles under a comforter in an apartment his family is sharing with an aunt, uncle and their children in Zarqa, Jordan. Learn more about making MCC comforters or kits. Photo by Silas Crews
