Ben Affleck Helps Launch Eastern Congo Charity

Actor Ben Affleck is building a foundation to help stabilize eastern Congo. Affleck has announced the formation of a new charity called the Eastern Congo Initiative. The organization is described as an advocacy and grant-making initiative with the mission of helping the Congolese people. Among other initiatives, ECI will support community-based groups that support survivors of rape and sexual violence, as well as those that return child soldiers to their homes and promote economic opportunities. Affleck recently returned from a five day trip to eastern Congo. In a statement the "Pearl Harbor" actor called the situation in the region, quote, "one of the worst humanitarian tragedies in the world," adding that it has been neglected "for far too long."