VIRUNGA FUND INC

Programs: Park preservation and protection - protect the integrity and natural resources across all of vnp, including restructuring and strengthening the park's ranger force to effectively protect the park's wildlife and habitats. This initiative includes the training of new rangers, facilitating the acquisition of service vehicles, equipment, and other supplies that help ensure the safety and security of the park and its inhabitants. This program includes projects designed to strengthen community participation in support of the park, reduce wildlife/human conflicts, and stop poaching activity. Examples of these projects include educational programs, support for the bloodhound unit, elephant protection patrols, electric fence deployment to protect farmers' crops from animal raids, and general support for the park administration.

virunga alliance/team virunga - spearheaded by the authorities of vnp, this program is a partnership between local, regional and national authorities, local communities, and the private sector that aims to harness the park's renewable energy, tourism, agribusiness, and sustainable fisheries for large scale economic development and stability in the region.

enterprise program - a program of activities designed to generate income to support for the park's long-term financial needs. The scope of program investments includes, but is not limited to, energy production (renewable, hydro-electric and briquette), tourism, agribusiness, and sustainable fisheries.

public works - a program designed to bring greater security to the park and the province of north kivu by employing regular and demobilizing combatants in engineering and other activities aimed at benefiting local communities. Ranger support - a program to provide salary supplements, rations, medical costs, non-lethal equipment, transportation and fuel supplies to the active ranger workforce of vnp. Gorilla welfare and well-being - a program to provide for the direct care and well-being of the mountain gorilla population. Widows' support - a fund established to provide support to the widows and orphans of park rangers killed in the line of duty.