War to break in DRC over military labor dispute. You can do something to help.

Earlier this week, a rebel militia [M23] captured Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. The streets are calm (for now), but there are more than 1 million people without power or potable water. The water is either contaminated by heavy metals or at high risk for carrying diseases such as cholera.

The rebel group was formerly a part of the Congolese army, but broke ranks with them, largely over working conditions and security issues. Disfunctional peace talks are escalating into plans for more war.

Nearly 100,000 have been displaced this week.

This post calls for two kinds of action:

• Call or write to your congresspeople, and tell them to press for a negotiated solution to this conflict. The international community is watching. Your calls will have an impact, and they could mean life or death.

• If you have the means, make donations to medical groups able to treat wounded and fight inevitable outbreaks. (Links at the end.)

In 1994, Senator Paul Simon of Illinois said that if only 100 people from each congressional district had written their representatives and demanded an end to the Rwandan genocide, the US would have taken action to stop it.

Your emails, letters, and phone calls will make a difference in this conflict.