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Brendan Gormley, chief executive of the DEC, said: “The generosity of the British public has been fantastic, especially considering the current economic climate. This money has a real effect on the ground and we need your continuing support to help even more individuals and families displaced, hurt or separated by the crisis.”
The money raised through the DEC appeal goes straight to the member agencies, many of whom have a long history of working in the Congo. The new influx of donations will allow them to scale up their operations in the region.
Increased hostilities
This week has seen increased fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) forcing thousands more to flee. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is working in the affected region and reports that armed combatants are murdering, raping and looting the civilian population.
Working with the Red Cross Society of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the ICRC is continuing to assist the suffering population.
Ros Armitage, British Red Cross conflict operations manager, said: “Thousands of civilians lack food, water, medical care, shelter and security. Children are particularly vulnerable as, fleeing for their lives, many have lost their families. The Red Cross is attempting to put children back in touch with their families and local radio stations are playing an important role in these efforts.”
Red Cross response
Since the end of October, Red Cross staff and volunteers have distributed food and water to tens of thousands of people affected by the conflict.
Two counselling centres have been established in camps for displaced people, offering practical and emotional support to victims of sexual violence. Volunteers are also carrying out hygiene-awareness activities in the camps.
An ICRC surgical team consisting of a surgeon, an anaesthetist, two nurses and a physiotherapist are working at Katindo military hospital. The hospital has also received medicines and other supplies to enable them to provide emergency treatment for the wounded.
Red Cross volunteers have also been collecting and facilitating the identification of bodies and, where conditions allow, notifying relatives.
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Read surgeon Ken Barrand's delegate diary from the Congo | 
