Republic of the Congo: Major assistance operation in Pool region
13-10-2003 News Release 03/127
On Thursday 9 October, the ICRC launched the first phase of an aid operation to help families in the Pool region. Efforts will focus on the Kinkala district, south of the capital Brazzaville.
This first phase will involve 6,000 families, but in total the programme will benefit 10,000 families. All the areas concerned have been affected by fighting, and most of the people have had to flee their villages.
Before starting to distribute supplies, the ICRC had spent three weeks evaluating the situation to obtain a clearer picture of the region's needs. Tools such as hoes and machetes came out top of the list, along with okra, maize and groundnut seed. Further evaluation is planned for the Mindouli district, where the ICRC plans a similar operation. The goods the ICRC is providing will enable these people to regain their self-sufficiency following the next harvest.
The ICRC will also be supporting five health centres, three in the Kinkala region and two in Mindouli district. The organization has already visited the three facilities in Kinkala, delivering supplies to facilitate their work. The ICRC is running this project under an agreement between with the authorities in Brazzaville.
For further information please contact:
Olivier Bangerter, ICRC Brazzaville, tel.: ++242 50 30 17 or ++242 50 30 18