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Belgium gives €10 million to infrastructure projects in Congo
The Belgian government will free up €10 million for development projects in North and South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to the cabinets of foreign affairs minister Didier Reynders (pictured right) and minister of development and co-operation Alexander De Croo (left).
The pair made an official visit to North Kivu this week. "The people welcome Belgium’s efforts," said North Kivu governor Julien Paluku.
The programme runs for four years and, if successful, can be extended twice for an additional €10 million each time. The funds will primarily go toward restoring infrastructure such as energy and roads, as well as smaller-scale projects to benefit the local population, like access to drinking water and social services.
Minister Reynders stressed that the development must go hand in hand with a genuine peace process in the region.
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Must be feeling guilty about something.....
Let's hope this does some good for the Congolese people as a whole, rather than lining the pockets of corrupt African politicians, and creating further dependency. Let's face it most aid has not just been a waste of money, it has done more harm than good.
Must not forget that charity also begins at home.
I wish somebody could convince the UK government of that! How it comes about that the vast majority of the public believe most overseas aid should be stopped, but successive government simply refuse to consider it is beyond me.
India, with it's own nuclear and space programs has even said it does not want the aid, but still the UK government sends it!
Somebody much smarter than me once described overseas aid as taking from the poor people in rich countries and giving it to the rich people of poor countries.
Plenty of evidence to suggest they are often spot on!