Humanitarian convoy leaves for Mayama district of Pool

Brazzaville authorities on Wednesday sent a French-funded humanitarian goods convoy to Mayama district in the troubled Pool region of southeastern Republic of Congo, the government reported, to be distributed by Caritas, a Christian NGO. Among other items, the cargo included 1,000 plastic sheets, 2,000 mats, 2,380 insecticide-treated mosquito nets, 4,000 blankets, as well as some 10 mt of seeds, including corn, groundnuts, beans and shallots. "A few months ago, I called upon the diplomatic community to lend us their support. The French embassy has responded with this contribution," Emilienne Raoul, minister of social affairs and humanitarian action, told an audience that had gathered in the capital, Brazzaville, to see the convoy off. In an effort to guarantee transparency and ensure that the supplies reached those most in need, the government said that distribution would be done according to lists drawn up by local authorities, with priority having been given to pregnant women, children and the elderly. Until March, the Pool region of Congo was wracked by violence between government forces and 'Ninja' fighters loyal to rebel leader "Pastor" Frederic Bitsangou, alias Ntoumi. Despite a peace agreement signed on 17 March 2003, however, the area has remained unstable. Two of the few international relief organizations active in the region, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), recently reduced their activities pending a re-evaluation of the security situation.