The Pool region in the southeast of the Republic of Congo (RoC) is the part of the country most affected by seasonal floods. Humanitarian response is hampered the lack of security and access for humanitarian workers. Most roads and bridges are in bad condition as a result of poor maintenance and war activities. The health sector is severely handicapped: basic health care structures have been destroyed, qualified personnel, equipment, and medicines are lacking. Malaria and tuberculosis are common diseases in the area. Although the security situation has somewhat stabilized, most children who had dropped out of school during the conflict in 1997/98, have still not returned because school buildings were destroyed and materials looted.
Access to potable water is limited to hospitals, so most people use water from rivers or ponds. The consequences are grim: diarrhoeal diseases and gastro-intestinal infections. Food security is also poor; populations have difficulties rebuilding their stock of seeds, and agricultural tools are lacking. Widespread looting also leaves farmers skeptical about re-starting cattle rearing activities. Furthermore, in December 2005 and March 2006, heavy rainfall led to flooding in Brazzaville and in the north of the country, with more than 5,000 people losing their home in the northern region of the city.
The ERC allocated $2 million to RoC from the CERF’s window for under-funded. One million was provided at each allocation in 2006. In each instance, the Resident Coordinator worked with the UN Country Team to prioritize urgent life-saving projects not yet funded through the consolidated appeals process. When the first allocation was made in May, the RoC humanitarian strategy was only funded at 32 per cent.
With a CERF allocation of USD 193,000, WHO resumed its maternal health activities at the Linzolo integrated health centre, which serves which 15,000 inhabitants of the area. The Linzolo integrated health centre, previously run by the Reverend sisters, had to close after successive armed conflicts between 1997 and 2000 destroyed the patient wards, laboratory, X-Ray services and water source. The newly opened centre provides preventive and curative health services as well as pre-natal consultations and deliveries.
CERF rehabilitates access to clean water to prevent the ourbreak of diseases
UNICEF’s water and sanitation project, supported by the CERF, aims to rehabilitate 9 water points. It targets 30,000 beneficiaries including 7,200 children. Potable water is a critical life-saving priority for children. 81% of the deaths of children under five are due to diarrhoeal diseases resulting from the lack of access to clean water.
CERF supports 3,000 HIV/AIDS patients
WFP is using CERF funds to provide nutritional training and counselling to 3,000 empoverished HIV/AIDS patients. These efforts complement on-going antiretroviral treatment (ART) to improve the health status of patients and improve life expectancy.
CERF funds expand refugee protection
UNHCR is currently expanding its refugee programmes using CERF funding of $395,800 for the Republic of Congo. The allocation from the CERF enabled UNHCR to respond to the time-critical needs refugees in the Betou area in the north. While many refugees are able to manage without international assistance, UNHCR programmes target the most vulnerable and fund coverage of basic health services.
[Last update: October 2006]
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