USAID has announced a significant contribution of nearly $424 million in humanitarian and health aid to address the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The assistance includes $414 million in humanitarian aid to support those affected by conflict and displacement, as well as an additional $10 million for health assistance to combat the current mpox outbreak in the DRC and surrounding countries. Additionally, USAID will be donating 50,000 mpox vaccines to the DRC, the country most impacted by the outbreak.
This new funding, including support from the bipartisan National Security Supplemental, will enable USAID’s partners to continue providing essential services such as food aid, healthcare, nutrition support, shelter materials, and water, sanitation, and hygiene services to communities in crisis. Child protection services and gender-based violence prevention and response activities for the most vulnerable will also be prioritized.
A significant portion of the funding, over $170 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation, will be utilized to purchase and distribute surplus agricultural commodities from American farmers to provide food aid in the DRC. The additional health assistance will support critical public health interventions in response to the mpox outbreak.
The United States remains a key supporter of humanitarian efforts in the DRC, providing more than $256 million in health assistance this fiscal year through programs like PEPFAR, PMI, and the Global Health Security program. These programs have allowed millions of individuals to receive life-saving treatment for diseases like TB, HIV, and malaria.
The U.S. government will continue to work with humanitarian partners to deliver vital aid to communities in need. This latest announcement brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance in the DRC to over $838 million in Fiscal Year 2024. The U.S. urges other donors to join in supporting efforts to save lives and alleviate suffering in the region.
Press release distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.