Armed groups control almost half of Virunga National Park, according to an ICCN assessment from April 2025. The ICCN says this armed presence diverts about USD 30 million a year from the green economy to rebel groups.
On 15 January 2025 Prime Minister Judith Suminwa signed Decree No. 25/01 to create the Kivu‑Kinshasa Green Corridor (CVKK). The corridor covers nearly 550,000 square kilometers, with 285,000 square kilometers of primary forests and 60,000 square kilometers of peatlands. Authorities expect the corridor to move 1 million tons of food from the Kivus to Kinshasa each year. A fund will support renewable energy, agriculture and logistics, and the government says it needs at least USD 1 billion for the project.
Difficult words
- conflict — A serious disagreement or fight.conflicts
- poverty — The state of being very poor.
- environment — The natural world around us.
- economy — The system of production and consumption.
- project — A planned set of activities.
- reforestation — The process of planting trees again.
- development — The process of improving or growing.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How can reforestation help the local economy?
- What are some effects of violence on communities?
- Why is environmental protection important in conflict areas?
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