Help out – lives are on the line

Dec 4 2008 by Cameron Hay, Paisley Daily Express

BIG-HEARTED Buddies are being urged to dig deep to help thousands of starving refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

More than a quarter of a million people have fled their homes to escape the violent clashes between the forces of rebel leader Laurent Nkundu and the Congolese army in North Kivu, in the east of the African nation.

Now a Scottish international aid agency is calling on people in Paisley to make urgent donations.

SCIAF is working with 163 Catholic international aid and development agencies to support Caritas DRC, a group working in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to provide medicines, temporary shelters, blankets and hygiene packs to 150,000 people left homeless by the recent fighting.

Mary Cullen, SCIAF spokeswoman, said: “As Laurent Nkunda’s forces draw back, there is a greater opportunity to get emergency aid to those who have been isolated or dispersed in the forests following the fighting.

“We have seen a fantastic response to our appeal so far but this is a huge crisis where thousands of lives are on the line.

“Everyone in Paisley can help make a difference by digging deep and donating to SCIAF’s appeal and ensuring we get aid to those most in need.”

Members of the public can donate to the SCIAF Congo Appeal online at www.sciaf.org.uk or by calling 0141 354 5555.