Medical Donations to Military

Defense Vice Minister thanks Charge Samuel Brock for the donations

Embassy Kinshasa’s Chargé d’Affaires Samuel Brock transferred over $23 million worth of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals donated by American NGOs to the DRC’s Vice Minister of Defense, Mr. Oscar Masamba Mantemo, during a formal military ceremony at the FARDC’s training facility at the Groupements Écoles Supérieures Militaires (GESM) in Kinshasa on October 7 2009.  After a formal pass in review of the FARDC honor guard and the playing of the U.S. and DRC’s national anthems, Mr. Brock addressed the assembled crowd, noting that the medical supplies will improve the lives of soldiers, their families, and those living near military bases.  In his remarks, Vice Minister Masamba thanked the United States for the donation and stated that the medical supplies would be delivered to the military hospital facilities at GESM, as well as Camp Kokolo, training facilities near Kisangani, and the NGO Heal Africa in Goma.   The donation of medical supplies is one of several programs, including training, capacity building and logistical support, following the new military cooperation agreement between the U.S. and DRC.