03/10/2026 DRC (International Christian Concern) – Terrorist militias in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have inflicted violence and abuse upon tens of thousands of individuals living in the nation. These groups abduct children and force them to fight and kill for them, displace citizens from their homes, and inflict sexual violence upon women and girls.

Amid these unthinkable tragedies, International Christian Concern (ICC) has provided support for survivors of militia attacks during some of the most difficult times in their lives. ICC’s support, in the form of food, shelter, clothing, and seed money to begin small businesses, has made a lasting impact on many survivors. Here are some of their stories.

JOSEPH’S STORY

A group of Islamist terrorists, al-Shabab, who are known to target and brutalize Christians, attacked Joseph’s village on Feb. 26, 2024. They stole livestock, looted valuables from homes, and burned much of the village, leaving Joseph and his family of nine children with nothing.

“I wandered through streets lined with ashes of memories, searching for a way forward and how to make ends meet,” Joseph stated. “This event broke me and the entire family. We were struggling with trauma, not knowing where to start from and wondering how life would be with the new situation we were in.”

Joseph and his family took shelter in a displaced persons camp. Upon hearing about the situation, ICC provided the family with food and gave Joseph a motorcycle to begin earning an income. With it, he was able to earn money for his family as a delivery driver and passenger transport driver.

“The assistance that I got from ICC was not only emergency assistance, but it was a source of hope to restore my life and my family,” Joseph stated. “The motorcycle became more than just a means of transportation. It was my second chance.”

AMINA AND KAMARA’S STORY

On the evening of June 8, 2024, a different Islamist militia group, known as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), attacked Amina’s village. Her home was burned to ash, and although she was able to flee and escape, her son, Kamara, and her husband were abducted by the group.

Kamara managed to escape two weeks later and returned home, but Amina’s husband is still missing. During his time at the camp, Kamara was given a new name, forced to witness violence perpetrated against his father, and say Islamic prayers.

“My father was tied up for refusing to comply with the ADF’s demands,” Kamara stated. “I was forced to start praying five times a day, and they gave me a Muslim name: Malik. It was by the grace of God that I managed to escape and find my way back home to Makamba.”

The chief in Amina’s village provided her with a home, and ICC provided funds to help her open her own shop.

“It’s a dream come true,” Amina said. “I never imagined I’d find a way forward after losing everything in the attack. ICC’s generosity has given me a new chance. I am no longer powerless. I can provide for my children and hold my head up again. I am forever grateful to ICC for the kindness [they] have shown me and my family during our time of suffering.”

ESTHER’S STORY

In July 2024, the ADF struck again. Esther, a wife and mother, witnessed the murder of her husband and son at the hands of the terror group. They attacked and burned her home, abducted her, subjected her to sexual violence at gunpoint, and held her captive.

Yusuf, a young Christian man, was already living in the group and had been forced to join and fight for the ADF. Although Yusuf was forced to keep his faith secret from the militia, he held onto it as his most precious possession. When he saw the pain Esther was enduring, Yusuf could no longer handle the atrocities he’d witnessed, and he decided to help her escape.

They were being held in such a remote location that it took two hours of walking through a perilous landscape to find a road. Once near the road, Yusuf told Esther to run for safety without him. His conscience was so scarred from the abuse he’d both been forced to engage in and witness. Yusuf also knew he faced certain death if he returned to the camp without Esther, so he decided to end his life.

She found freedom and was reunited with her only living family member — her daughter, Sarah. ICC provided Esther with shelter, food, clothing, and the resources to begin a small business.

She explained how the help changed her life.

“The clothes ICC gave me didn’t just cover me — they gave me dignity,” Esther said. “Before, I was ashamed to be seen. Now I can face the world again. This shop gave me purpose and hope. I have a future again.”

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