Canada pledged tens of millions of dollars in aid to Francophone countries in Africa Sunday, marking the end of the two-day Francophonie summit during which the prime minister also promised Canadian help for cholera-stricken Haiti.

The aid funds, totalling more than $40 million, will come from the $1 billion in new funding Canada pledged for the Muskoka Initiative on maternal and child health at last June's G8 meeting.

The funds will go to nine projects aimed at curbing hunger, protecting women and children from sexual violence, and supporting various economic and environmental sustainability initiatives.

"Canadians have a long and proud history of supporting development work in Francophonie countries," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement. "The new initiatives announced today will increase food security, secure the future of children and youth and promote sustainable economic growth across Africa."

Harper said 80 per cent of Canada's commitment to the Muskoka Initiative will be dedicated to sub-Saharan Africa. According to the statement, Canada will partner with a variety of non-governmental organizations on the projects.

The projects include:

  • $13.5 million to assist female victims of violence in the Great Lakes Region
  • $12.1 million for a microfinance project in Benin
  • $5 million to reduce undernourishment and hunger in Senegal
  • $3 million for a continent-wide agriculture program aimed at helping small-scale farmers

On Friday, Harper pledged $1 million in aid to assist Haiti as it battles a cholera epidemic that has killed at least 208 people and sickened more than 2,600 others.

Harper hails progress on human rights

The Francophonie summit wrapped up Sunday with a final declaration that contained little in the way of specifics for improving human rights in some of its member states, although Harper told reporters the organization is addressing the issue.

"It's true that it's historically been a delicate question," Harper said. "The Francophonie hasn't had the same status on this issue as the Commonwealth. But under the recent leadership of (former Senegalese president) Abdul Diouf, the Francophonie has become more active in the defence of human rights and the rule of law."

The next Francophonie summit will be hosted by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, considered by humanitarian groups to be one of the lowest-ranking countries in terms of human security.

About 3 million people have died during Congo's civil war, which began in 1996. The international community and human rights organizations have criticized President Joseph Kabila for failing to address the ongoing sexual violence perpetrated by Congolese soldiers against women and children.

Harper said he has raised the issue of human rights with Kabila and said he hopes Canada's help provides "an opportunity for Congo to further address some of these issues."

Kabila told delegates the next Francophonie summit will provide Congo with an opportunity for "assessment."

"Be assured ladies and gentleman, that in accepting to host the 14th Francophonie summit we accept the commitment to promote these values and ideals on Congolese territory," Kabila said.

With files from The Canadian Press