"They took me into the forest, where we spent three months. Every day, I was raped."
Sifa is a 23-year old woman living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where mass rape is routinely being used as weapon of war to destroy women, families, and communities. The brutality she faced was one of more than 15,000 reported sexual violations against women and girls, even babies as young as 10 months and women as old as 80.
In January 2008, the Congolese people felt hopeful. A peace agreement was in the works, and stability seemed near. But a year and a half later, the violence rages on. And it's created human suffering on a massive scale: more than 5.4 million people have died, many from starvation and disease, and more than 1.5 million have been forced from their homes.
Today, Oxfam America is working with local groups to protect and advocate for women like Sifa who have suffered sexual violence. And we are one of the leading agencies providing emergency assistance – including water, sanitation, and public health outreach – to more than 500,000 people forced to leave their homes because of the fighting.
But with the situation on the ground at its worst point in two years, Oxfam must immediately extend its efforts in the region to reach an additional 150,000 displaced persons. Oxfam's work around the world depends on the continued support of people like you.
P.S. It's the start of the growing season in the eastern DRC. Food is scarce, and water is hard to come by. Unfortunately, the issues Congolese farmers face are echoed globally; to read more about Oxfam's innovative work with poor farming communities, check your mail for a letter on what we're doing. And please make a contribution today.
"They took me into the forest, where we spent three months. Every day, I was raped."
Sifa is a 23-year old woman living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where mass rape is routinely being used as weapon of war to destroy women, families, and communities. The brutality she faced was one of more than 15,000 reported sexual violations against women and girls, even babies as young as 10 months and women as old as 80.
Watch this powerful video and learn how YOU can help thousands like Sifa:
In January 2008, the Congolese people felt hopeful. A peace agreement was in the works, and stability seemed near. But a year and a half later, the violence rages on. And it's created human suffering on a massive scale: more than 5.4 million people have died, many from starvation and disease, and more than 1.5 million have been forced from their homes.
Today, Oxfam America is working with local groups to protect and advocate for women like Sifa who have suffered sexual violence. And we are one of the leading agencies providing emergency assistance – including water, sanitation, and public health outreach – to more than 500,000 people forced to leave their homes because of the fighting.
But with the situation on the ground at its worst point in two years, Oxfam must immediately extend its efforts in the region to reach an additional 150,000 displaced persons. Oxfam's work around the world depends on the continued support of people like you.
Donate now and help raise $100,000 by June 5 to scale-up efforts on behalf of women, girls, and communities in crisis in the DRC and other places that we work.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Raymond C. Offenheiser
President
Oxfam America
P.S. It's the start of the growing season in the eastern DRC. Food is scarce, and water is hard to come by. Unfortunately, the issues Congolese farmers face are echoed globally; to read more about Oxfam's innovative work with poor farming communities, check your mail for a letter on what we're doing. And please make a contribution today.