The World Bank has halted funding for humanitarian and development projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to the government's unexpected dissolution of the project fund. The suspension affects over 600,000 beneficiaries, including victims of sexual violence.
The World Bank's letter to Congo's finance minister expressed concern over the lack of documentation regarding the status of funds already advanced for the projects. The bank emphasized the need for transitional measures to ensure the proper use of funds.
The Congolese government's decision to dissolve the fund has raised questions about governance. The director of a Congolese public finance auditing organization criticized the abrupt change, questioning how a public service with a $1 billion contract with the World Bank could be dissolved without the bank's knowledge.
The suspension of funding has had a significant impact on beneficiaries, including the Panzi Foundation, which provides support to victims of sexual violence. The foundation's program coordinator reported having to turn victims away due to the lack of reimbursement for expenses.
Four opposition politicians have requested an audit of international funds in Congo, citing concerns about potential misuse. The World Bank's suspension of funding highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of development projects.