The United States is providing $424 million in new assistance to the people facing persistent humanitarian needs resulting from conflict and displacement in the DRC, according to the statement received by APA on Wednesday.
The United States announced on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, an additional $424 million in assistance to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This contribution aims to address the humanitarian and health challenges facing the country, particularly due to persistent conflict and population displacement.
“This contribution demonstrates the continued commitment of the United States to the Congolese people. We are committed to supporting efforts to alleviate suffering and promote stability in the region,” said the
United States Ambassador to the DRC, Lucy Tamlyn.
The majority of the aid, $414 million will be devoted to humanitarian assistance. “Our UN and NGO partners will provide emergency food assistance, healthcare, nutritional support, shelter, and water and sanitation services to the most affected communities,” Jeffrey Prescott, U.S. Representative to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization explained.
A special focus is being placed on the current health crisis, with $10 million specifically allocated to combating the Mpox outbreak. “In addition to this funding, we are donating 50,000 Mpox vaccines to the DRC, which is currently the country most affected by this outbreak in the region,” said a USAID spokesperson, quoting in the document.
This assistance also includes innovative financing of over $170 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation. These funds will purchase and distribute U.S. agricultural surpluses to provide life-saving food assistance in the DRC.
“This assistance comes at a critical time. “It will significantly strengthen our ability to respond to the urgent needs of our people, particularly in the areas of health and food security,” a senior official from the Congolese Ministry of Health said.
With this new contribution, the United States’ total humanitarian assistance to the DRC for fiscal year 2024 amounts to over $838 million, confirming its status as the largest provider of humanitarian assistance and the largest bilateral donor in the country’s health sector.
As the situation in the DRC remains precarious, the United States calls on other international donors to join its efforts. “The crisis in the DRC requires a comprehensive and coordinated response from the international community,” Ambassador Tamlyn concluded, stressing the urgency of the situation and the importance of strengthened global solidarity.
ARD/te/Sf/fss/GIK/APA