1.The government of the Republic of Korea provided humanitarian assistance worth 500,000 US dollars to the Democratic Republic of the Congo through the World Food Programme (WFP) on November 2. The DR Congo has been facing a humanitarian crisis triggered by activities of armed groups and a political unrest even after the end of a civil war. The aforementioned contribution from the ROK will be used to provide emergency food to Congolese refugees in the eastern part of the country.
*There are an estimated 700,000 Congolese refugees in North Kivu Province and some 2.4 million across the country.
*500,000 US dollars can feed some 70,000 people for one month.
2.The relief foods were handed over to the Congolese in the city of Goma of North Kivu Province on November 2 with relevant officials from the ROK government and the WFP Regional Office in attendance. Also present at the event were a WFP Ambassador Against Hunger for Korea and actor Jang Dong-gun and a singer Kim Min-jong, both of who are undertaking volunteer work in the country at the invitation of the WFP.
*The Seoul Broadcasting Station will air a “Hope TV” episode on the Korean stars’ volunteer activities in the DR Congo as well as the WFP’s food assistance operations.
3.The ROK government, as a responsible member of the international community, extends assistance to countries in humanitarian crises like the DR Congo either directly or indirectly through international organizations.
Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT
*unofficial translation