Social and economic needs in the balance

The rehabilitation of the social sectors and the fight against unemployment and poverty - all important to the consolidation of peace - were among the top priorities in Congo’s recovery and reconstruction programme, according to a programme summary release by the IMF. While no formal poverty-reduction plan had yet been developed, some measures such as the rehabilitation of schools and primary health care units, and measures to fight contagious diseases (including HIV/AIDS), were already being implemented on an emergency basis, it said. In tune with post-conflict objectives, public investment projects of over 348 billion CFAs were envisaged during the 2000-01 period, focusing on the restoration of basic infrastructure (including a nationwide basic health care system) and on projects in agriculture, fishing and forestry, the summary stated. IMF Acting Chairman Eduardo Aninat on Friday identified as “formidable challenges” the authorities’ task of providing health, food and basic infrastructure, rebuilding institutional and administrative capacity, and laying the foundations for strong economic growth that would significantly reduce unemployment and reverse the steep decline in living conditions. In that context, the government’s post-conflict programme struck “an appropriate balance” between immediate reconstruction needs and the objective of quickly establishing national economic stability, Aninat said.