This fundraiser is organized on behalf of Extinction Rebellion activists in the Democratic Republic of Congo. All funds will be transferred directly to them.
Dear friends and comrades,
THE DISPLACEMENT CONTINUES, BUT THE CROWDFUNDER IS USED UP ....OUR COMRADES CONTINUE TO NEED FOOD, SHELTER AND BASIC NECESSITIES.
Right now, brave climate activists in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continue to be displaced and in need of support.
At least 14 of our comrades who have been on the frontlines of this struggle are still displaced and in an extremely precarious situation. We are currently supporting 12 of these activists. They have fled from Goma and Bukavu first to Tanzania, Kenya and safer places in Democratic Republic of Congo and now to Burundi and safer places in DRC, but still very far from home. Still displaced, they continue to be in urgent need of shelter, food, and communication .
The Rwanda-backed M23 forces, now in control of North Kivu province, target social and climate activists who are in opposition to M23 violations of human rights and the environment. This has forced many Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists to flee for their lives.
The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group has been seizing towns and villages in North Kivu, targeting civil society organizations—including climate activists fighting against fossil fuel extraction and environmental destruction.
Why are climate activists being targeted?
North Kivu is one of the most mineral-rich areas on the planet—home to cobalt, coltan, and other "transition minerals" essential for batteries, technology, and renewable energy infrastructure. It also has oil and gas reserves, which the Congolese government plans to extract and export through the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline. North Kivu is also home to Virunga National Park.
For years, XR groups in North Kivu—XR Uni Goma, XR Rutshuru, XR Sake, and XR Shasha—have been on the frontline of the fight against fossil fuels, and protection of forests and peat lands. They have formed alliances like Pétrole Non Merci and Notre Terre Sans Pétrole.
Now, these activists are being hunted. Some are already on the M23’s radar for their previous work protecting forests—forests that M23 exploits for funding.
We need your help—now.
We don’t know how long this crisis will last, but our comrades need immediate support to continue to stay in their places of refuge, buy food, and stay connected with their families and the outside world.
Every donation, no matter the size, can make a difference.
If you are unable to donate, please help by sharing this appeal with your networks.
We are relaunching this fundraiser, because unfortunately the conflict has not improved. Our friends remain displaced. They need our continued support. They need it now.
Please act in solidarity with these activists who have risked everything to fight the fight of our times - against fossil fuels and exploitation and in protection of the amazing forests and biodiversity of the Democratic Republic of Congo. For all of us
Thank you.