advertorial:

Norway ups Congo humanitarian aid

05 November, 2008

“Terrible scenes are unfolding in Eastern Congo. Many thousands of people have fled in panic and have no food, medicines or protection. There are reports of rape and other serious violence against women. To alleviate the situation in the region, we are now increasing our humanitarian support by NOK 15 million,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers the humanitarian situation to be very serious, even though Nkunda’s forces seem to have halted their offensive against Goma in North Kivu province for the moment.

“The fighting has made it extremely difficult help those in need. The most important thing now is to ensure that humanitarian organisations are given access again. This is the only way we can make sure that supplies reach all those people who have fled their homes,” said Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim.

With the additional NOK 15 million, Norway’s humanitarian assistance to Eastern Congo this year will reach NOK 94 million. In addition, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, to which Norway is one of the biggest contributors, is providing substantial funding. Including long-term development assistance, Norway’s direct allocations to DR Congo this year will total NOK 146 million.