EU releases over $50M for Democratic Republic of Congo

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – The EU on Saturday said it will release €47 million ($50.06 million) to help people affected by conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The decision was taken in light of "drastically deteriorating" situation due to a "significant further escalation" of conflict in North Kivu, the 27-member bloc said in a statement.

The EU "will deliver humanitarian support in the form of medical and nutritional supplies along with a range of other emergency items, in collaboration with UNICEF and other humanitarian partners," the press release said.

The fund will be used to cover immediate needs, including nutrition, healthcare, water, sanitation, and shelter.

“The EU stands ready to mobilize all the necessary means to support humanitarian workers, including logistics and air, to meet the needs of the population in Democratic Republic of Congo," said Janez Lenarcic, the EU's commissioner for crisis management.

More than 600,000 people are displaced in Eastern DRC due to incursion by M23 rebels, who have seized large swathes of North Kivu since last October.

The "Movement of 23 March" rebellion remained dormant for nearly 10 years and reappeared at the end of 2021.