As a response to the current influx of Congolese refugees fleeing clashes between government and rebel groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the government of Germany has committed Euros 1.2 million for emergency supplies for internally displaced persons and refugees.
Last year, German offered Euros 3.3 million in aid for this region and in this year alone Euros 4.1 million have been provided for the same cause.
According to the German Foreign Affairs Ministry, the funds will be used by World Food Programme (WFP) to buy food supplies for Congolese refugees in Rwanda, and supply basic necessities such as blankets, kitchen utensils and emergency accommodation for the displaced and their host families in the Kivu provinces.
The aid programme will be implemented by Caritas Germany – International Department, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe and their partners on the ground, while a German NGO, Humedica, will provide emergency medical assistance for the refugees.
This plan will however be planned and implemented in coordination with the United Nations (OCHA, UNHCR).
The war in Congo has affected the civilian population and over 100,000 people have been displaced in the North Kivu province alone. Some 50,000 have fled to Rwanda and Uganda and reports indicate that the numbers have been increasing each day.