Malteser International distributes food to more than 30,000 internally displaced persons

In Minova, the region on the border between North and South Kivu in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malteser International is distributing urgently needed food supplies – around 1,000 tons, to more than 6,000 families who have had to flee because of the conflict in North Kivu. “Together with other relief organisations, we have carried out an assessment in the region of Minova and counted 30,645 internally displaced persons (IDPs),” Dr. Georg Nothelle, Head of the Africa Department of Malteser International, explains. “Within the week we will distribute food supplies – flour, vegetables, oil and salt – to all the families. A second distribution campaign is planned for December.”

The distribution will be financially supported by the World Food Programme of the United Nations (WFP) which aims to assure the food supply for the IDPs during the next two months. Further distribution campaigns for January 2009 are planned. Since the flare-up of unrest around the city of Goma, Malteser International has also increased psycho-social care for the IDPs in Minova.

The relief efforts for the growing number of internally displaced persons need urgent support, Your donation to Malteser International is vital for these innocent victims. Please help them:

Donation Account 2020122;

Pax-Bank Köln, von-Werth-Str. 25-27, D-50670 Köln, Germany,

Sort Code : 370 60 193; IBAN : DE93 3706 0193 0002 0201 22; BIC: GENODED1PAX

Reference : “Congo”

Or online at www.malteser-spenden.de or www.maltarelief.org

Malteser International has been working in South Kivu since 1996. Currently, there are 80 local and two international staff members on the spot, implementing projects in the sectors of health care, food security, psycho-social care and the rehabilitation of infrastructure.