[Interview] The European Union set up a civilian humanitarian air bridge to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on 9 March. The dispatch of emergency freight from France is coordinated by the Crisis and Support Centre (CDCS) of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. The first plane took off from Denmark on 9 March carrying 40 tonnes of humanitarian freight, including almost 2.5 tonnes of medicines donated by the Tulipe association. Fanny Demassieux, deputy director of the CDCS, explains.
The 20 tonnes of French freight, plus 20 tonnes of medical supplies provided by UNICEF, includes emergency shelters donated by the Crisis and Support Centre – 400 family tents to take care of 2,000 people and 400 hygiene kits – as well as almost 2.5 tonnes of medicines donated by the Tulipe association: “as supplies are very difficult on the ground and needs cover the whole pharmaceutical spectrum (paediatric, adult, emergency). We used the pre-positioned kits, ready to go when needed. Like this one from the crisis and support centre”, explains Alexandre Laridan, Director of Operations for the Tulipe Association.
Arrival of the first airlift plane in the Democratic Republic of Congo (photo DR)
“France’s response was to mobilise immediately for this operation” Fanny Demassieux, Deputy Director of the CDCS
Fanny Demassieux (DR)
What is the background to the humanitarian operation in the DRC?
Fanny Demassieux: There is a recognised humanitarian emergency in Goma, a town in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is linked to a situation of armed conflict. France is supporting efforts in the region to achieve a ceasefire and the withdrawal of the M23 (editor’s note: despite international pressure and repeated calls for an end to the fighting, the ceasefire announced on Tuesday 7 March between the Congolese army and the M23 rebellion has not been respected). As a result of this situation, hundreds of thousands of people are currently displaced. Access to these people is difficult, and the United Nations estimates their needs for this year, in the Goma region alone, at over 400 million dollars. This gives an idea of the scale of the crisis affecting this region of the DRC.
What is France’s role and contribution?
France has been providing humanitarian support in the DRC for several years. This is done through contributions to organisations attached to the UN and to non-governmental organisations working on the ground.
However, the deteriorating situation in Goma calls for a massive additional effort from the international community to come to the aid of these people. That’s why, in addition to the €14 million in aid for the DRC earmarked for 2023 by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the French President announced an additional €20 million on Saturday during his visit. This package is earmarked for the Goma region alone, and will provide funding for organisations working on the ground. Our partners on the ground, in Goma and in the north of the country, are working on issues such as access to water and sanitation, food security and the fight against maternal and neonatal mortality.
The second part of the response, after this additional €20 million in French aid, is the establishment of this European humanitarian bridge, which aims to contribute to the response to the urgent needs of the population.
How is the Crisis Centre mobilising its partners?
This humanitarian bridge is coordinated by the European Commission, and more specifically by Directorate General ECHO (responsible for civil protection and European humanitarian aid operations). This body, with which we work regularly, organises the response of NGOs and Member States. We had already had a few contacts with them to see how we could help the people of Goma before the announcement by the President of the Republic. Following the announcement by Janez Lenarčič, the European Commissioner responsible for these issues, who launched this operation, France’s response was to mobilise immediately at the request of Catherine Colonna, the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. On the ground, we are working with our embassy, the United Nations and partner NGOs. This is to understand exactly what the most urgent needs are, because it is essential not to be redundant in these situations. It is on this basis that we then approach our partners: NGOs, foundations or associations. We ask them if they can contribute alongside us. We also have our own stocks, which we make available according to local needs.
“The partnership with Tulipe is extremely valuable for the Crisis and Support Centre.
What logistics have been put in place? How is this operation secured?
France often manages its own logistics operations. The Goma operation, on the other hand, is entirely handled by the European Union. For example, an EU carrier collects the CDCS donations and those of partners such as Tulipe from their storage sites. This equipment is then transported to the flight’s departure airport in Billund, Denmark. This first flight of the European humanitarian bridge carries 20 tonnes of products donated by France and a further 20 tonnes donated by UNICEF. The role of the upstream flight organiser – in this case, the European Commission – is to ensure that the goods can be landed and unloaded safely on site. We only work with trusted partners to prevent any diversion of humanitarian aid on site and to ensure that it reaches the identified beneficiaries.
The first flight to the DRC carried 40 tonnes of emergency freight, including 2.5 tonnes of Tulipe health products (DR)
Tulipe has been your partner for over 5 years. What types of operations do you call on our association for?
This partnership is extremely valuable for the CDCS. Tulipe is one of our most trusted partners and that’s one of the reasons why we call on the association so often. The way in which Tulipe trunks are organised, in the form of pre-packaged kits dedicated to adult general medicine or paediatric care, is particularly well suited to the needs of populations affected by all types of humanitarian crisis. These Tulipe trunks are very much appreciated in the field, as they are perfectly suited to the needs of local medical teams or centres. When we call on Tulipe, the association always delivers.
Preparation of the Tulipe trunks in the association’s warehouse
How will this large-scale humanitarian action in the DRC continue over the coming weeks?
A second plane will leave next week with humanitarian aid from other European NGO partners. There will undoubtedly be a further contribution from a French entity. France has therefore adopted a two-pronged approach: delivering much-needed humanitarian goods via this humanitarian bridge, and providing additional funding to the United Nations and NGOs on the ground to step up action on the ground. We will remain particularly attentive, as will our embassy in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its humanitarian relays, which are monitoring developments in this conflict and the situation of displaced populations.
The Tulipe association and the Crisis and Support CentreOn 19 December 2017, a partnership agreement was signed with Jean-Yves Le Drian, then Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Michel Ginestet, former President of theTulipe association. The Ministry’s Crisis and Support Centre (CDCS), headed by Ambassador Stéphane Romatet, has been coordinating France’s response to humanitarian crises abroad since 2008. With this signature, Tulipe becomes one of the CDCS’s main sources of supply for medical products. The CDCS ensures the proper delivery and use of these products in health crises around the world. The agreement signed between Tulipe and the Ministry followed an initial partnership initiated in September 2017. At that time, Tulipe made a donation, via the CDCS, to Dominica following Hurricane Maria in the Caribbean. |