The funding package, provided under the Crisis Response Project in Support of Affected Populations in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (PRECAPE), includes a $33.91 million loan and a $4.95 million grant from the Transition Support Facility, alongside a further $9.97 million grant from the African Development Fund, the AfDB’s concessional window.
AfDB Deputy Director General for Central Africa and Country Manager for the DRC Mohamed Chérif said the intervention is designed to respond to urgent humanitarian needs while laying foundations for longer-term resilience.
“The project will provide a targeted response to urgent needs whilst laying the groundwork for sustainable solutions to fragility and alleviating the suffering of vulnerable populations,” Chérif said.
Chérif said the project is intended to restore economic assets, strengthen social inclusion for young people and women, reduce economic, social and climate marginalisation, and consolidate peace and community resilience.
PRECAPE will fund rehabilitation and equipping of climate-resilient social infrastructure to restore essential services, including health, education, vocational training, water, sanitation and hygiene. Planned works include support for 5 vocational training centres, 7 schools, and 7 health facilities, plus construction of water and sanitation systems and market infrastructure.
The initiative also includes institutional support for the government’s Delivery Unit located in the Prime Minister’s Office, focusing on stronger coordination and monitoring for implementation of the country’s Resilience Compact.
PRECAPE will additionally support the rollout of the Natural Resources Tokenisation initiative by backing the AXIS programme, which aims to enhance the value of community assets and mobilise financing through digital tools, with an initial focus on gold and carbon.
Human capital development is a central component. Vocational training leading to qualifications in high-demand sectors will be provided for 1 500 young people, while entrepreneurial skills and financial literacy support will target 2 000 young people and women. Psychosocial and medical assistance will also be delivered to 4 500 survivors of gender-based violence.
Implementation will focus on Uvira in South Kivu, plus Beni and Walikale in North Kivu. The project is expected to benefit more than 800 000 people, including internally displaced persons and host communities, by improving access to quality basic services.
–AfDB/ChannelAfrica–
