Rehabilitation for Wamba controlled areas

The rebel Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie - Mouvement de liberation (RCD-ML) of Ernest Wamba dia Wamba has secured a US $16 million aid package to rehabilitate health clinics and road infrastructure in northeastern parts of DRC under its control, according to a press statement by its foreign affairs delegate Claver Lumana Pashi. The statement, received by IRIN on Monday, said that under the “Agreement for Humanitarian and Economic Development Aid for the Congo”, the First International Bank of Grenada (an offshore bank based on the West Indies island) will make the money available over five years, for humanitarian use and “not for any military purposes”. The aid agreement’s schedule for the first year allows for rehabilitation of health clinics - including medical supplies, equipment and salary allowances - at Bafwesende, Kisangani, Beni, Butembo, Isiro, Mahagi, Aru, Buta, Watsa, Banalia, Mambasa, Irumu, Niania, Djugu and Bunia. It also includes the construction of dirt roads between Bunia and Mahagi, Bunia and Kisangani, Bunia and Lake Albert, Beni and Kasindi, and in the area from Butembo-Beni to Busia, according to the press statement.