Agreement for agricultural production in Kinshasa and its region signed between Cardinal Ambongo and the French Ambassador to the DRC, François Pujolas

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, the catholic archbishop of Kinshasa and the French Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, François Pujolas, signed on Wednesday April 29, 2020, in the presence of the director of Caritas Development Kinshasa, an agreement allowing the realization of an original project of support for agricultural production in Kinshasa and its region. This project, close to the realities on the ground,

responds very concretely, and to one of the major challenges posed by the Covid-19 epidemic and its economic and social consequences.

Indeed, already facing an acute humanitarian crisis with 15.6 million people estimated in the need of assistance, the Congolese population must now face the Covid-19 pandemic.

This crisis is not only health, but also socio-economic, because traffic restrictions or physical distancing measures disrupt the normal activity of the country. 

In Kinshasa, epicenter of the epidemic in the DRC, it is already seein an increase in the prices of basic necessities, which weighs heavily on the most vulnerable households. " We must immediately adopt measures preventive measures against this possible food crisis in Kinshasa ", declared the French ambassador in DRC, Mr. François Pujolas. “For this, we choose to support a local player, Caritas Kinshasa Development, to work with local producers, market gardeners and food producers the city-province of Kinshasa ”. 

Thanks to the distribution of inputs (seeds, fertilizers, equipment) and a better access to water, the objective is to increase the productive capacities of these people in the very short term farmers. 

In parallel, a specific distribution circuit will be defined so that this production

is geared towards the most vulnerable consumers in Kinshasa. "I welcome this initiative of the Caritas Développement Kinshasa, and thanks the French Embassy for its support. Anticipate is great wisdom, we must not wait for the crisis to act, ”said Cardinal Ambongo.

This collaboration between France and Caritas Development Kinshasa is part of a relationship of trust established for several years. It also participates in its food aid in the DRC, which comes to fruition in 2020 with € 2 million in support for WFP, UNICEF, the ICRC and the French Red-Cross for projects that will start in the next few days. 

In the very short term, other emergency measures aimed at helping health actors (strengthening hospitals, helping to INRB, support to NGOs involved in helping disadvantaged populations) were decided for a amount of 6 million euros. 

"This cooperation more broadly illustrates the commitment of the president of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron, in favor of increased support for Africa during this period difficult. A total of 1.2 billion euros in bilateral aid has recently been announced for the continent "continued the ambassador. 

This project, close to the realities on the ground, responds very concretely, and to one of the major challenges posed by the COVID-19 epidemic and its

economic and social consequences.

"We must immediately adopt measures preventive measures against this possible food crisis in Kinshasa ", declared the French ambassador in DRC, Mr. François Pujolas. “For this, we choose to support a local player, Caritas Kinshasa Development, to work with local producers, market gardeners and food producers the city-province of Kinshasa ”, He added.

"I welcome this initiative of the Caritas Développement Kinshasa, and thanks the French Embassy for its support. Anticipate is great wisdom, we must not wait for the crisis to act, ”said Cardinal Ambongo.

This aid includes a humanitarian component particularly necessary, in particular to provide basic food and material aid to populations most affected by social distancing measures, and those most exposed to contagion.

Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor