BRAZZAVILLE, 21 December (IRIN) - United Nations agencies and NGOs in the Republic of Congo (ROC) have appealed for US $28 million to alleviate the suffering
of thousands of vulnerable people in the country next year.The appeal, launched on Wednesday, covers 24 projects under 11 UN agencies and other national and international humanitarian aid
organisations. These include projects in the sectors of health and nutrition; water and sanitation; food security; protection; education; and HIV/AIDS."The consolidated appeal is the result of an
evaluation of the current humanitarian situation in the country," Aurélien Agbenonci, the UN Resident Coordinator, said during the launch. "This appeal is aimed at ending the suffering of the
population." The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in ROC said the protection of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) would also have to be assured.
Particular attention would also be given to themes relating to gender equality, especially the protection of women who are the most vulnerable. "Life-saving means we must take action to reduce
mortality, morbidity, malnutrition; reduce vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and epidemics such as the haemorrhaging fever virus (Ebola)," Emilienne Raoul, Social Affairs Minister, said.According to the aid
agencies, at least 38 percent of 2006's US $39 million appeal had been obtained by mid-November.The 2007 appeal is aimed at providing humanitarian aid for civil war-affected regions, such as the
Pool Department in the south, and other parts of the country where pockets of vulnerability remain. The ROC government estimates that at least 7,800 people remain displaced in Pool.Pool has been
affected by persistent insecurity, and the destruction of basic social infrastructures such as schools, roads and health centres. Agbenonci said the success of the 2007 appeal would largely depend
on the guarantee of peace in the country and the success of targeting those most in need. "We will have been successful if, in December 2007, the [humanitarian] agencies make an assessment saying
the affected population is now enjoying good health, has access to clean drinking water, lives in a healthy environment and is eating a balanced diet," he said. lmm/aw/js/jm
