The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is expected to raiseat least 11.2 million US dollars earmarked for the natural sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Of the fund, 1.2 million dollars are from the UN Foundation and10 million from the European Union (EU) and Belgium, said Melinda L. Kimble, senior vice-president for programs of United Nations Foundation, at the ongoing 28th Session of the World Heritage Committee.

The United Nations foundation, a private foundation established by CNN founder Ted Turner, has so far contributed over 30 million dollars to assisting the UNESCO's protection programs of natural heritage since 1999.

According to the UNESCO documents, the existing 5 natural sites in the DRC were severely damaged due to frequent military conflicts and worsening illegal hunting and exploitation, which have thus been put on endangered world heritage list.

Before the commencement of the session, 35 world heritage sites have been on endangered world heritage list, including 18 cultural sites and 17 natural sites.
 
(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2004)