My story

On Sunday June 24, a group of armed bandits/poachers attacked the headquarters of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in the Congo Basin, a UNESCO World Heritage site, killing at least 7 park staff – with extreme cruelty in some cases. Others were taken hostage or are still unaccounted for. All park infrastructure was destroyed and the 15 okapi, a rare forest animal closely related to the giraffe, at the Epulu Breeding and Research Station were all killed. Epulu plays a central role in protecting the future of the okapi by serving as a reservoir for the infusion of new genetic stock into the okapi populations in global conservation programmes around the world.

The day after the destruction of the Epulu HQ, UNESCO met with the Director of Okapi Wildlife Reserve as well as the Director General of the country’s protected areas authority (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature), to assess the situation and define the immediate response needs. UNESCO’s position and networks have, and will be, effective in catalysing positive results for conservation, and UNESCO are strong supporters of this campaign.

As part of the UNESCO network, the Rapid Response Facility is calling out for support among the global community in helping quickly restore a full and stable governmental presence in the area and restart okapi breeding activities at Epulu. For this, the RRF seeks immediate support for the following: i) rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure (staff accommodations, park offices, Epulu breeding centre buildings; ii) replacing destroyed equipment; iii) and providing support to the families of murdered park staff.

Please donate to this appeal now.

If you give permission to be contacted, donors will receive an electronic report, with pictures, on the success of the appeal and the work accomplished with the funds raised.

Over the past 5 years, the RRF has been able to provide rapid support to 31 emergency situations in natural World Heritage sites around the world.

The RRF is an initiative of UNESCO and Fauna & Flora International (FFI). Donations will be handled by the RRF Secretariat at FFI. FFI has longstanding partnerships with organisations operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo and will ensure that donations are used as effectively as possible. 3% of the total raised will go to UNESCO for future missions and monitoring as the security situation at this site stabilises.

For more information please contact the RRF Secretariat on rrf@fauna-flora.org

My gallery 4

My updates 1

The offline donation relates to a successful application of $30,000 made to the Rapid Response Facility by the Wildlife Conservation Society, operating in the DRC. This gives our appeal target a great boost but we are still seeking funds for Epulu in the long term

10/07/12 15:56

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Fauna & Flora International

Fauna & Flora International

Charity Registration No. 1011102

Fauna & Flora International (FFI) was the world's first conservation organisation, established in 1903. Our vision is of a sustainable future for the planet, where biodiversity is effectively conserved by the people who live closest to it, supported by the global community.

Donations 165

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My first thoughts go to the families of the rangers who have lost a loved one.

Donation by Daniela on 14/07/12

£20.00

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Our hearts and prayers are with you.

Donation by John Yunker on 14/07/12

£10.00

Donation by Alex Casha on 13/07/12

£10.00

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Donation by Anonymous on 13/07/12

£15.00

Donation by Anonymous on 13/07/12

£25.00

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Donation by Lindsey Smith on 13/07/12

£15.00

Donation by Anonymous on 12/07/12

£6.00

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Donation by Caroline Zanchi on 12/07/12

Donation by Vicky Keeble on 12/07/12

£22.00

+ £5.50 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous on 11/07/12

£10.00

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Our thoughts are with all of who have lost loved ones.

Donation by Anonymous on 11/07/12

£16.00

+ £4.00 Gift Aid

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Only a small donation but I hope it goes some way to repairing the damage. Sad times.

Donation by Susan Linacre on 11/07/12

£3.00

+ £0.75 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous on 11/07/12

£5.00

Donation by Jonathan Putnam on 10/07/12

£22.00

Donation by Robert Badcock on 10/07/12

£15.00

+ £3.75 Gift Aid

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Donation by Anonymous on 09/07/12

£30.00

Donation by Anonymous on 09/07/12

£25.00

Donation by Anonymous on 09/07/12

£15.00

Donation by Anonymous on 08/07/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

Sending positive ripples through people will one day end violence in our world. Thanks for organizing this for these unfortunate giving people.

Donation by Jean Patry on 08/07/12

£75.00

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I am so sad about these horrible crimes

Donation by Karin Svadlenak-Gomez on 08/07/12

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continuez à sauver les populations d'animaux sauvages et les gardes qui les protègent. good luck

Donation by Moresmau on 08/07/12

Donation by Ellen Bunch on 08/07/12

£100.00

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Donation by Ruth on 07/07/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Donation by Barbara on 07/07/12

£15.00

Donation summary

  • * Online donations$8,683.20
  • Offline donations$29,373.74
  • Text donations$0.00
  • Total raised$38,056.94
  • Gift Aid$997.41

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.