Ebola in the DRC; Nonviolence events suspended
The people of the chronically conflict-riven Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) now have another assailant to face: the ultra-deadly Ebola virus, which has erupted in Kasai Occidentale province in the past couple of weeks reportedly killing 170 people so far.
Kasai also apparently has cases of typhoid and the also-deadly Shigella virus. These are the tragic consequences of the complete breakdown of state authority and of chronic inter-group armed conflict.
I am very concerned about this because one of my good friends in the Global Network for Nonviolence has been working in Kasai Occidentale for a while and is now involved in the quarantining effort there and feeling, obviously, personally at risk from the Ebola.
Our friend, who asked to stay anonymous at this point, gave us permission to post his most recent letter to the GNN Steering Committee over at the GNN website. (It's here.) It is also his birthday today, which makes everything harder for him.
He asks for people's prayers and support for all the people dealing with the Ebola. Please go over to that post on the GNN site and send him a message to tell him you care about what's happening to him and his colleagues.
As you'll see, our colleague Sagar Gurung also had to postpone his plans for International Peace Day, in Kathmandu, because of the new political risks and uncertainties there. I am so in awe of what these GNN colleagues are trying to do, in extremely difficult circumstances.
All strength and comfort to them! (And really, please do send your messages of support to them there.)