Flash Action Update // One Year Later
One year ago this month, a group of Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) fighters released 12 women and children, handing them over to one of our local partners in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The LRA group also passed along a message that they would release more captives if the 12 women and children were […]
Mother Helps LRA Returnees Heal from Trauma
Last week, we shared the story of Hannah, a brave, young mom who escaped LRA captivity with her children earlier this year. Her story of hope and courage is a reminder of the strength in so many mothers across central Africa who are tirelessly working toward safer, brighter futures for their children. SUPPORT BRAVE MOMS […]
MONTHLY SECURITY BRIEF | JANUARY 2017
The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) was responsible for 14 attacks in January 2017 in which they abducted 59 civilians, the highest monthly abduction total since September 2016. However, the 59 abductions in January 2017 was a sharp reduction compared to January 2016, when LRA forces abducted 171 civilians. Nearly all of the LRA’s January 2017 abductions took place in northern […]
LRA Crisis Tracker Monthly Security Brief | November 2016
Overview Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) forces abducted 25 civilians in 10 attacks in November, with a significant majority of abductions occurring in eastern Central African Republic (CAR). A series of clashes involving ex-Séléka factions in and near Bria, CAR, left at least 14 civilians dead in late November. Armed groups continued to be active in northern Democratic Republic of […]
Stories of Connection // Come Home Messages Encourage Escape
For communities in central Africa, strong connections to the world around them are vital to their safety. In this remote and isolated corner of the world, where families don’t have access to reliable communication tools, whole communities face the constant threat of armed groups that can tear families apart through violent attacks and abductions. This […]
Stories of Connection // A Peace Committee Unites a Community
One of the most important and effective ways to make isolated and vulnerable communities in central Africa safer is through building unity among community members. When individuals trust one another and are able to work together, they are able to address challenges they face together and recover from violence faster and more effectively. However, the […]
This Holiday Season, Connect
Every one of us shares the need to connect. But despite the fact that we’re living in one of the most globally connected times in history, we still struggle to transcend our day-to-day online interactions and develop strong, meaningful connections with others. During this time of year, we feel that struggle more than ever and […]
Repost || The LRA is finally weakening in central Africa. Defection Messages could dismantle it.
Today, as the world watches the trial of former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander, Dominic Ongwen, begin at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, the Washington Post has highlighted an important perspective on how LRA violence that continues in central Africa can be stopped. In an editorial published today, our friends and LRA experts, […]
Update on Dominic Ongwen // Trial to Begin Tomorrow
The International Criminal Court (ICC) trial of former LRA commander, Dominic Ongwen, is set to begin tomorrow. So, in preparation, we thought we would take a moment and recap where the proceedings are and talk about what we can expect to see happen moving forward. So, what’s happened so far? In early January 2015, former […]
Unlocking Solutions for Peace || Vie et Espoir
At the center of all of our work to end violence and exploitation are amazing community leaders who are turning visions for peace into reality across central Africa. Partners like Samson who works with a community organization called Vie et Espoir. CELEBRATE #GIVINGTUESDAY BY SUPPORTING LOCAL SOLUTIONS FOR PEACE. Vie et Espoir, which means Life […]