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World Bank pledges $1bn for DR Congo and neighbours | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The World Bank has unveiled a $1bn (£660m) aid package to help the Democratic Republic of Congo and its neighbours, as fighting continues near the eastern city of Goma. | |
The money is to be used for health, education, cross-border trade and hydroelectricity projects, it said. | |
The announcement comes as World Bank head Jim Yong Kim and UN chief Ban Ki-moon start a tour of the region. | |
One person was killed when a mortar landed in Goma, a UN spokesman said. | |
Government and M23 rebel forces have been involved in heavy fighting near Goma since Monday, killing 19 people. | |
The clashes are the first since the M23 pulled out of the city last year under diplomatic pressure. | The clashes are the first since the M23 pulled out of the city last year under diplomatic pressure. |
The UN says it will speed up efforts to deploy a 3,000-strong intervention force to eastern DR Congo to end the latest conflict. | The UN says it will speed up efforts to deploy a 3,000-strong intervention force to eastern DR Congo to end the latest conflict. |
'Shells and rockets' | 'Shells and rockets' |
Some 800,000 people have fled their homes since the M23 launched its rebellion last May. | Some 800,000 people have fled their homes since the M23 launched its rebellion last May. |
The World Bank aid package is to support a peace deal signed in February between DR Congo and its neighbours, some of whom are accused of backing the rebels. | |
"This funding will help revitalize economic development, create jobs, and improve the lives of people who have suffered for far too long," Mr Kim in a statement. | |
The largest tranche of the aid - $340m - will go towards an 80-megawatt hydroelectric project in Rusumo Falls, providing electricity to Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania. | |
Despite its vast mineral wealth, decades of conflict and mismanagement mean most Congolese remain stuck in poverty. | |
The mortar fell in the Goma neighbourhood of Ndosho, killing one person and injuring four, said UN peacekeeping mission spokesman Madnodje Mounoubai, Associated Press news agency reports. | The mortar fell in the Goma neighbourhood of Ndosho, killing one person and injuring four, said UN peacekeeping mission spokesman Madnodje Mounoubai, Associated Press news agency reports. |
He said he did not know who fired the mortar. | |
Campaign group Human Rights Watch researcher Ida Sawyer told Reuters news agency that a two-year-old girl died and three members of her family, including a boy and girl, were wounded. | Campaign group Human Rights Watch researcher Ida Sawyer told Reuters news agency that a two-year-old girl died and three members of her family, including a boy and girl, were wounded. |
The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Goma says government and rebel forces have clashed in Mutaho, 10km (6 miles) east of the city for a third day. | The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Goma says government and rebel forces have clashed in Mutaho, 10km (6 miles) east of the city for a third day. |
Shells and rockets have been fired, he says. | Shells and rockets have been fired, he says. |
Four government soldiers and 15 rebels were killed in the clashes on Monday, government spokesperson Lambert Mende told the BBC. | Four government soldiers and 15 rebels were killed in the clashes on Monday, government spokesperson Lambert Mende told the BBC. |
Mr Ban is due to visit Goma on Thursday. | Mr Ban is due to visit Goma on Thursday. |
The renewed fighting showed the need to speed up the deployment of the intervention brigade so that it would be "fully responsible as soon as possible", Mr Ban said. | The renewed fighting showed the need to speed up the deployment of the intervention brigade so that it would be "fully responsible as soon as possible", Mr Ban said. |
The UN approved the creation of the force - made up of troops from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi - in March to "neutralise" rebels in DR Congo. | The UN approved the creation of the force - made up of troops from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi - in March to "neutralise" rebels in DR Congo. |
The troops will have the most robust mandate ever given to UN peacekeepers to end conflict, officials say. | The troops will have the most robust mandate ever given to UN peacekeepers to end conflict, officials say. |
Mr Ban and Mr Kim are also due to visit Rwanda and Uganda. | Mr Ban and Mr Kim are also due to visit Rwanda and Uganda. |
Last year, a UN report accused the two countries of backing the M23, an allegation they denied. | Last year, a UN report accused the two countries of backing the M23, an allegation they denied. |
On Monday, Rwandan President Paul Kagame told the BBC that UN troops had "in some cases" made the situation in DR Congo worse. | On Monday, Rwandan President Paul Kagame told the BBC that UN troops had "in some cases" made the situation in DR Congo worse. |
He said any military effort to bring peace to DR Congo needed to be "properly co-ordinated" with political efforts. | He said any military effort to bring peace to DR Congo needed to be "properly co-ordinated" with political efforts. |