Explosions in an ammunition stockpile in the Congo. Europe ready to do more

(BRUSSELS2) The European Union is ready to activate the Civil Protection Mechanism, which should harmonize European cooperation to respond to the crisis in Brazzaville. The massive explosions of an ammunition factory, which took place on Sunday March 4, in the densely populated district of Mpila, caused the death of more than 150 people and injured around 1500 people according to local sources (Red Cross and Congolese government), new explosions took place afterwards, on a smaller scale but continuing to aggravate the human toll. " There has been no formal request yet. ” we say to the European Commission. But if such a request were made, teams of additional medical personnel, search and rescue teams, as well as mine clearance and decontamination teams, or weapons securing experts could be sent to the site. A European expert has already been made available to a UN assistance mission whose assistance the Congolese government has requested.

First European, Congolese, French and Moroccan aid

On the spot, international aid is being organized little by little. Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo and located just on the other side of the river, has already provided assistance to Brazzaville, in particular by sending doctors (including the Minister of Health himself). French and Moroccan aid also arrived on the spot on the morning of March 6, consisting of medical personnel, equipment and soldiers. On the European side, the Commission has released €200.000 in aid via the International Federation of the Red Cross (Ficross). As for the European Commissioner, Kristalina Georgieva, she interrupted her four-day trip, initially planned to visit various humanitarian programs financed by the EU in the region (DRC and Congo-Brazzaville), to go on Monday (5 March) , in Brazzaville. In particular, she visited a hospital, which she describes as " overwhelmed by the continuous arrival of seriously injured ».

We can also specify that on the other side of the river, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the European Union's security assistance mission (EUSEC RDC) has precisely carried out operations to secure arms stocks. A "real problem" as specified to B2, an expert from EUSEC. Article to follow...