The humanitarian situation in North Kivu: Charles Michel releases €1 million in food aid

Deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in North Kivu, Development Cooperation Minister Charles Michel has decided to release €1 million in food aid for the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Fighting in the North Kivu region has prompted many people to flee the combat zone. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has cited a figure of 70,000 displaced persons. There are also reports of attacks on humanitarian aid workers. Making the humanitarian space more secure is one of the priorities of the Belgian EU Presidency.

Charles Michel has been in touch with both the European Commission and the Congolese authorities. Prompted by specific concerns about displaced persons, the aim is to enable an effective European humanitarian response.

In the political arena, Belgium will continue to appeal to all actors who would like to see peace and security brought to the region in question. This is absolutely essential if the lives of the people living there are to improve.

As you may recall, the DRC is the biggest partner of Belgian Development Cooperation, which provides aid worth €75 million a year under the Indicative Cooperation Programme (ICP). The DRC is also the main beneficiary of humanitarian aid donated by Belgium, having received €38 million in 2008.