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UK urges help to end DR Congo war UK urges help to end DR Congo war
(41 minutes later)
British foreign secretary David Miliband has said the Democratic Republic of Congo needs foreign help to prevent further internal conflict.British foreign secretary David Miliband has said the Democratic Republic of Congo needs foreign help to prevent further internal conflict.
International co-operation would restore stability and avert "appalling humanitarian consequences", he said.International co-operation would restore stability and avert "appalling humanitarian consequences", he said.
He called on the rulers of DR Congo and neighbouring Rwanda to work together to form a "lasting solution"He called on the rulers of DR Congo and neighbouring Rwanda to work together to form a "lasting solution"
Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced because of the violence in DR Congo's east region.Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced because of the violence in DR Congo's east region.
'Enormous potential''Enormous potential'
Mr Miliband's comments follow his two-day visit to the African country. An opportunity had arisen to try to resolve differences and prevent fighting in an area of "enormous" potential, he said.Mr Miliband's comments follow his two-day visit to the African country. An opportunity had arisen to try to resolve differences and prevent fighting in an area of "enormous" potential, he said.
He had flown to the country with his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner and said he had been struck by how much suffering had been caused by the conflict.He had flown to the country with his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner and said he had been struck by how much suffering had been caused by the conflict.
Both men held talks with the Congolese president, Joseph Kabila, and Rwanda's president Paul Kagama, urging them to use their influence and call and end to the fighting. While insecurity and violence persist... the stability and prosperity of the entire region are under threat David MilibandForeign secretaryBoth men held talks with the Congolese president, Joseph Kabila, and Rwanda's president Paul Kagama, urging them to use their influence and call and end to the fighting. While insecurity and violence persist... the stability and prosperity of the entire region are under threat David MilibandForeign secretary
"The conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is not just a threat to regional stability but also has appalling human consequences," Mr Miliband said."The conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is not just a threat to regional stability but also has appalling human consequences," Mr Miliband said.
He described existing agreements between DR Congo and Rwanda as a "valid approach" to tackling the current problems but added the African Union, United Nations and European Union all had to help restore peace.He described existing agreements between DR Congo and Rwanda as a "valid approach" to tackling the current problems but added the African Union, United Nations and European Union all had to help restore peace.
He said: "The potential of the African Great Lakes region is enormous. The UK has invested considerable effort in it. Discussing the geographic and natural resources in the area, and the UK's political and aid contributions, he said: "The potential of the African Great Lakes region is enormous. The UK has invested considerable effort in it."
"While insecurity and violence persist in eastern DR Congo, the stability and prosperity of the entire region are under threat. He said: "While insecurity and violence persist in eastern DR Congo, the stability and prosperity of the entire region are under threat.
"The political processes already agreed, and the engagement of the international community, represent an opportunity to resolve them and avert further conflict."The political processes already agreed, and the engagement of the international community, represent an opportunity to resolve them and avert further conflict.
"We must not let it pass."Thousands of people forced to leave their homes are now in Goma"We must not let it pass."Thousands of people forced to leave their homes are now in Goma
Rebel leader General Laurent Nkunda says he is fighting to protect his Tutsi community from attack by Rwandan Hutu rebels, some of whom are accused of taking part in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.Rebel leader General Laurent Nkunda says he is fighting to protect his Tutsi community from attack by Rwandan Hutu rebels, some of whom are accused of taking part in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
But his forces, which are now believed to be based in the outskirts of the regional capital, Goma, have been accused of looting, rape and murder.But his forces, which are now believed to be based in the outskirts of the regional capital, Goma, have been accused of looting, rape and murder.
The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels, but both countries' presidents have agreed to attend a regional summit on the situation in the coming weeks.The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels, but both countries' presidents have agreed to attend a regional summit on the situation in the coming weeks.
Charities have estimated that more than 900,000 people have been displaced in the North Kivu area alone. See a detailed map of the area Charities have estimated that more than 900,000 people have been displaced in the North Kivu province, where the capital Goma is situated, alone. See a detailed map of the area
Around 55,000 people are believed to have been forced to leave their home in the last week alone.Around 55,000 people are believed to have been forced to leave their home in the last week alone.
The United Nations has estimated that more than 1.6 million people are now displaced across the DR Congo.The United Nations has estimated that more than 1.6 million people are now displaced across the DR Congo.
Preparations to send out 90 tonnes of emergency government aid are now underway and thousands of blankets, plastic sheets, water buckets and water purification tablets expected to arrive in the region later this week.Preparations to send out 90 tonnes of emergency government aid are now underway and thousands of blankets, plastic sheets, water buckets and water purification tablets expected to arrive in the region later this week.
On Monday EU ministers urged for more international action to boost the existing 17,000-strong UN peacekeeping force and secure access for humanitarian aid.On Monday EU ministers urged for more international action to boost the existing 17,000-strong UN peacekeeping force and secure access for humanitarian aid.
Mr Miliband said that the UK had increased its aid funding to the region by £5m but did not discuss whether British troops would be sent to assist the UN peacekeeping force in the area.Mr Miliband said that the UK had increased its aid funding to the region by £5m but did not discuss whether British troops would be sent to assist the UN peacekeeping force in the area.
UN troops escorted Monday's aid convoy to Rutshuru, a rebel-held town 75km (45 miles) north of Goma. What we're most concerned about though is former child soldiers which we had reintegrated into society are now being re-recruited and taking part in the fighting Save the Children spokesmanUN troops escorted Monday's aid convoy to Rutshuru, a rebel-held town 75km (45 miles) north of Goma. What we're most concerned about though is former child soldiers which we had reintegrated into society are now being re-recruited and taking part in the fighting Save the Children spokesman
It carried medical supplies and water purification tablets, and the UN said food convoys were expected to follow.It carried medical supplies and water purification tablets, and the UN said food convoys were expected to follow.
Aid workers found refugee camps that had held tens of thousands were virtually empty. Many people are believed to have fled into the forests around the camps, fearing further violence.Aid workers found refugee camps that had held tens of thousands were virtually empty. Many people are believed to have fled into the forests around the camps, fearing further violence.
On Tuesday Oxfam announced it was doubling its aid effort and is currently attempting to assist about 85,000 displaced people. The charity's staff are also assessing a number of camps near GomaOn Tuesday Oxfam announced it was doubling its aid effort and is currently attempting to assist about 85,000 displaced people. The charity's staff are also assessing a number of camps near Goma
Oxfam's Rebecca Wynn said around 7,000 displaced people were living in tarpaulin and banana-leaf shelters in the Kibati camp, 4km north of the capital and they were relying on dirty latrines and water pumps.Oxfam's Rebecca Wynn said around 7,000 displaced people were living in tarpaulin and banana-leaf shelters in the Kibati camp, 4km north of the capital and they were relying on dirty latrines and water pumps.
She said the situation remained tense: "There is a ceasefire, but that ceasefire could break. There's still a real need for other countries to keep piling on the diplomatic pressure."She said the situation remained tense: "There is a ceasefire, but that ceasefire could break. There's still a real need for other countries to keep piling on the diplomatic pressure."
A spokesman for Save the Children said that its 100 staff in the region plan to help at least an estimated 300,000 displaced people.A spokesman for Save the Children said that its 100 staff in the region plan to help at least an estimated 300,000 displaced people.
He said: "We're issuing household kits including pots and pans and food to families in camps which have taken in unaccompanied children.He said: "We're issuing household kits including pots and pans and food to families in camps which have taken in unaccompanied children.
"What we're most concerned about, though, is former child soldiers whom we had reintegrated into society are now being re-recruited and taking part in the fighting."What we're most concerned about, though, is former child soldiers whom we had reintegrated into society are now being re-recruited and taking part in the fighting.
"We've identified at least 30 who have been drawn back into the violence and we're worried about many more.""We've identified at least 30 who have been drawn back into the violence and we're worried about many more."
He said although they had initially evacuated their staff, they had returned to the area by Sunday.He said although they had initially evacuated their staff, they had returned to the area by Sunday.
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