UN Makes Funding Plea for Congolese Refugees

Some USD59 million is needed to assist more than 100,000 people from the northwest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo who have sought refuge in neighboring Republic of Congo, the United Nations said.

Of the sum, USD20 million will go toward building logistical capacity of the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. A portion of the money will be used to provide primary education, shelter and potable water for DRC communities affected by ethnic violence.

“So far, we’ve been able to cover just 30 per cent of the needs of this huge population for food, sanitation, shelter, health care and primary education,” UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming said.