The US steps up its Development Aid to Congo

The US through USAID plans to increase spending for development aid in the Congo.  No specific details was listed.   

Link: AFP: US ups development aid for DR Congo: USAID chief.

The director of US foreign assistance and USAID chief Henrietta Fore Monday announced more than 100 million dollars of development aid this year for the war-ravaged Democratic Republic of Congo.

"US bilateral foreign assistance to the DRC is expected to surpass 100 million dollars (63.4 million euros) this fiscal year," she said, adding that this would be solely for development projects.

"Our increase in assistance demonstrates the United States' commitment to working side by side with the Congolese people toward a more stable and prosperous country."

Total US aid to the sprawling mineral-rich country would be more than 500 million dollars this year over 460 million dollars last year. Humanitarian aid alone, including American participation in the UN mission in DR Congo, or MONUC, would total around 400 million dollars in 2008.