For Congolese displaced by the M23 war, host families offer a ‘heart of solidarity’
KANYABAYONGA, Democratic Republic of the Congo WHEN thousands of displaced Congolese arrived in the eastern town of Kanyabayonga fleeing M23 rebels last month, local resident Jeanine Bitasimwa acted as she always does in these circumstances: She welcomed destitute families into her humble home. “We agree to welcome the displaced because we do not know if we too will be displaced one day in this country, which only seems to experience war,” Bitasimwa told The New Humanitarian on a visit to Kanyabayonga late last month. Some 1.5 million people are currently uprooted following two years of ruinous conflict between the Rwanda-backed…