NZ$1 million for Red Cross work in central Africa

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Murray McCully, has approved a NZ$1 million contribution to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for its humanitarian work in the central Africa region.

The New Zealand contribution is for use in one or more of the following nations: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Rwanda and Burundi. This contribution demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to peace and stability in Africa, and also our interest in the issues facing Central African nations.  

Central Africa is a major ICRC priority. The total 2011 budget for ICRC’s programmes in the region is NZ$130 million, with the DRC representing almost 70 % of this. This makes the DRC, ICRC’s second largest operation in Africa after Sudan. 

ICRC is a significant multilateral partner of New Zealand, which provides NZ$2.5 million per annum (2010/11) in core funding. The majority of New Zealand Red Cross delegates are posted with the ICRC.