Prime Minister Muzito launched on Friday, 6 November the fund for the government plan for stabilization and reconstruction of areas emerging from armed conflict (STAREC). The initial amount of the stabilization fund is US$20 million provided by the United Nations peace-building fund. The first bilateral contributions of US$2.7 million and €6 million had been announced by the Netherlands and Belgium respectively.
A river convoy of 500 metres long, 16 metres wide, with a total power of 1,580 horsepower left Kinshasa on 3 November headed for Kisangani in Orientale province. Seven and two pushers are carrying 2,500 mt of various goods. Among them are inter-agency logistics services (ILS) cargoes: 14 containers for MONUC and 6,736 cartons of school books (81 mt) for 4 educational districts in the Orientale Province. The latter is part of the four million books distribution project implemented for the Ministry of Education.
The first boat built by WFP partner Caritas to transport food and NFIs for the humanitarian community (including WFP) in different isolated areas of Equateur province has started its first voyage on 30 October 2009, with 29 mt of food for a cooperating partner in Bolomba, north east of Mbandaka. Caritas will manage the river transport service and will invoice the users, including WFP, on a cost recovery basis.
