MONUC to implement quick impact projects

The UN Mission in DRC (MONUC) has been allocated US $1 million to implement small, quick impact projects throughout the country, a MONUC statement said on Wednesday. The amount, released by the Security Council, is intended to cover areas essential to the Congolese population such as sanitation, health, basic medical supplies, water and electricity supply and the rehabilitation of schools.

An initial envelope of US $300,000 has already been committed to finance 26 projects including agricultural rehabilitation in military observer deployment sites at Mbandaka, Kananga, Kalemie, Kisangani, Goma and Kabinda; the construction of a footpath on the Tshopo bridge in Kisangani; water supply for Kimbondo paediatric hospital, as well as a project in favour of street children in Kinshasa, implemented by the International Catholic Committee for Migration (ICMC). Emergency support will be provided by MONUC to war widows and children through a project implemented by Caritas International in Kinshasa, while in Kalemie MONUC funds will be used to rehabilitate a reception centre for war displaced people. Before the end of September 2001, some US $700,000 will be allocated to other initiatives selected among the 150 projects that have so far been presented for MONUC support.

“These actions of MONUC are a normal part of the peace process, insofar as they address the daily needs of the populations who are the major victims of a conflict which has now lasted for almost three years,” the statement said. “The objective is to rekindle hope and trust with these small projects, and to open the door for larger developmental activities once peace will be restored.”