Armagh man just returned from Congo urges help for those hit by pandemic and mass violence

An Armagh man who just returned from Africa as the coronavirus pandemic began to hit has urged people in NI to help provide water and hygiene supplies to protect the people he left behind.
By Philip Bradfield
Published 19th May 2020, 06:30 BST
Updated 19th May 2020, 15:25 BST
Armagh man David McAllister has worked as Tearfund’s Country Director in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years,Armagh man David McAllister has worked as Tearfund’s Country Director in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years,
Armagh man David McAllister has worked as Tearfund’s Country Director in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years,

David McAllister has worked as Tearfund’s Country Director in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for seven years.

A married father of four, he grew up in the DRC to missionary parents Bob and Alma McAllister. He arrived back in NI at the beginning of April and is not yet able to get back.

“The pandemic was just starting at that time,” he said.

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But while poorer countries face many problems in tackling coronavirus, the Congolese have the added complication of widespread violence.

“This past few weeks there have been a series of militia attacks resulting in 200,000 internally displaced people, bringing the total in Ituri province to around 1.4m,” he said.

“It is essential that we bring the message of staying safe from the virus to people who are experiencing many other direct life-threatening issues.”

His colleagues still in the Congo say people are responding well to the message of personal hygiene and have confidence that they are there to help, he said.

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“However, there is a great need for clean water sources and hygiene products.”

His team on the ground have been fighting Ebola for several years and the hygiene strategy with Covid-19 is similar, he said.

“However, it is disheartening for them as the country was almost ready to declare itself rid of Ebola when coronavirus arrived. To an already vulnerable population, this is very difficult news to handle.”

Donations will go to several countries and will be used for hygiene, water, food and psychosocial support. £30 could provide 10 families with soap for one month. Details at www.tearfund.org/Coronavirus

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Related topics:ArmaghAfricaTearfund