The European Union has announced a new humanitarian aid package worth €60 million for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Flemish Red Cross has also contributed with €100,000 to support affected populations.
The European Commission stated that following recent developments in the eastern part of the country, the EU is ready to increase its emergency assistance for displaced populations in and around Goma.
Violence has overtaken the major city in Eastern DRC since Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 entered and seized control of the Congolese city on Monday, after weeks of advances.
The EU aid will cover shelters, camps, water systems, latrines, food rations, and education. Similarly, the Red Cross aid is set to contribute to relief operations.
The new funding brings the EU's total humanitarian aid to the DRC to over €272 million since the beginning of 2023. Additionally, EU humanitarian flights are delivering personnel and supplies to eastern DRC.
European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Hadja Lahbib acknowledged the challenges of humanitarian access due to intense fighting, but emphasised that the funds would be released immediately.
Lahbib also stressed the importance of respecting international humanitarian law and protecting civilians, stating that dialogue and negotiations are the only solutions to the conflict.
