Aid workers head to region

Lava from the volcano has reached Goma airport in Congo

LONDON, England -- Aid workers from the UK are flying to Rwanda to aid the recovery effort following the devastating volcanic eruption in neighbouring Congo.

The UK Government is to donate £2 million ($2.87 million) in aid to those made homeless by the disaster.

International Development Secretary Clare Short said £1 million of the money had been "immediately released to humanitarian organisations."

"Aid workers on the ground are monitoring the situation and have already met with the government of Rwanda," she added.

Aid agency Oxfam said a flight containing £150,000 worth of supplies, including bedding and children's clothing, would leave Manston airfield in Kent at 1800 GMT on Saturday bound for Kigali in Rwanda.

Refugee camps are to be set up by Oxfam staff in the area, while a team of relief workers from Christian Aid is flying to Rwanda and the charity has released £50,000 for relief work.

"The immediate need is for food, medical supplies, transport, shelter and blankets," a spokesman said.

The UK Catholic Aid Agency CAFOD has launched an emergency relief programme. Fr. Oswald Musoni, the Director of CAFOD's partner CARITAS Goma, said: "Most of Goma is completely destroyed and the people are milling around in Gisenyi not knowing what to do.

"The volcano is still erupting and we are very worried about the lava flow reaching Gisenyi, it is very frightening.

"We are trying to help as many people as we can to find somewhere to go but it is very difficult. We are reliving the refugee crisis of recent years when hundreds of thousands of refugees were on the road."

Head of CAFOD's Africa Section, Maurice McPartlan, said: "Our partners in Goma and Rwanda went straight into action as soon as it became clear that the volcano was active. This morning they appealed for sheeting, blankets, tents, food and cooking utensils and are now carrying out a more detailed assessment of what needs to be done. It is very difficult as the situation in Gisenyi is chaotic."

Christian Aid has warned that the situation at the Rwandan border was out of control as refugees flee the disaster zone.

"The situation in Gisenyi (Rwanda) is chaotic. There is no control over people's movements. There is no food, no water, no accommodation. Things are out of control and people do not know what to do," Christian Aid worker Bishop John Rucyahana said.