EU humanitarian aid to the Congo

Summary: March 3, 2001: Commission allocates €35 million in humanitarian aid for the Democratic Republic of Congo (Brussels)

The European Commission has adopted a €35 million intervention plan in response to the growing humanitarian needs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The funds will be channeled by the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) through partner organizations working in the country. This decision will enable ECHO to continue providing support to the victims of ongoing conflicts throughout 2001. Humanitarian priorities identified in the Plan are health and hunger.

Many problems in the DRC are of a chronic humanitarian nature. The complex crisis in the DRC continues to be characterized by intense violence and human suffering on an unprecedented scale. Since 1999, there have been large movements of people away from the combat zones, and the number of internally displaced people and refugees is estimated to have doubled to more than two million. Social services have continued to deteriorate and the collapse of health and water delivery systems have led to the re-emergence of many diseases. Food shortages are also on the increase, leading to a big increase in cases of malnutrition.

The funds will be allocated to four main areas:

a standing response capacity for both medical and non-medical emergencies, including epidemiological surveillance and a rapid reaction system (€2.75 million);
public health care (including preventive measures) in 102 strategically chosen health districts covering around one third of the country (€13.66 million);
care and maintenance for 40,000 recently-arrived refugees from Angola and 100,000 returnees in the north-west of the country (€4.2 million);
an integrated nutrition, food aid and food security programme, targeting 75,000 malnourished children and their families (€11.7 million).

The amounts earmarked for each of these areas are indicative, and the balance may be adjusted during the year to take account of new developments.

Ref: EC01-016EN
EU source: European Commission
UN forum:
Date: 3/3/2001

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