Switzerland boosts emergency aid to Congo
The Swiss government's Development Agency has pledged a further SFr1 million in emergency aid to volcano victims in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The latest donation raises the total amount pledged to the disaster-stricken Goma region, to the east of the country, to over SFr1.2 million.
The head of the Agency’s Africa section, Hansjürg Ambühl, said a large proportion of the amount would go to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which is working to bring urgently-needed drinking water to the region. Some of the donation would also go to the World Food Program, as well as to the United Nations, he said.
At least 45 people died following the devastating eruption of Mount Nyiragongo on January 17, which also sent much of Goma city’s population fleeing for their lives.
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