Germany increases humanitarian aid for the civilian population of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

BERLIN, Germany, June 18, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Federal Government is making available a further 1.2 million euros for emergency supplies for internally displaced persons and refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In this connection Minister of State Cornelia Pieper commented today (16 June) as follows:

“We must not allow the various crises in the north of the continent to blind us to the continuing crisis in the Congo, which has persisted for years. Over 100,000 people have been displaced in the past few weeks alone. They are in urgent need of our assistance.”

In recent weeks there has been renewed fighting between rebel groups and the national armed forces in the eastern provinces of the country. As a result, there have been attacks on the civilian population and over 100,000 people have been displaced in the North Kivu province alone. Some 50,000 have fled to Uganda and Rwanda.

The money Germany makes available will be used to supply basic necessities such as blankets, kitchen utensils and emergency accommodation for the displaced and their host families in the Kivu provinces. The aid will be implemented by Caritas Germany – International Department, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe and their partners on the ground. In a project in Uganda, the German NGO Humedica will provide emergency medical assistance for refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Part of the money will also go to the World Food Programme to buy food supplies for Congolese refugees in Rwanda. The measures are being planned and implemented in coordination with the United Nations (OCHA, UNHCR).

The humanitarian situation in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains critical. The east of the country is a particular problem. Last year the Federal Foreign Office made available 3.3 million euros in aid for this region; so far this year, the figure is 4.1 million.