MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce Australia will provide $500,000 in emergency aid
following the devastation caused by the eruption of Volcano Nyiragongo last
Thursday in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The funds will be used to provide food for the most vulnerable and will be
distributed by the World Food Programme (WFP). The WFP has already sent 36
tonnes of high energy biscuits to the Rwandan border town of Gisenyi, 10
kilometres from Goma. It is also prepared to draw on 7,700 tonnes in stock in
Uganda.
At this stage, aid agencies on the ground in the Congo are still assessing
priorities but
the most pressing needs are food, water and shelter.
The Australian Government, through its overseas aid agency, AusAID will
continue to monitor events in Goma to determine what further assistance may be
provided.
Media contacts:
Matt Francis (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500/0419 206
890
Fionna Douglas (AusAID) 02 6206 4960/0412 804 489