Kabila Aids Rebel-Held Territory

By Geoffrey Kamaliand AgenciesThe DRC government has launched an urgent appeal for international aid for Goma town, where molten lava has buried much of the town and triggered fears of a humanitarian disaster. President Joseph Kabila’s government called on “all of the DRC’s friends, UN agencies, the Organisation for African Unity (OAU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for massive aid to be given to the population,” a statement said.The appeal came as Kabila decided to send a government mission to the disaster zone — the first time that Kinshasa government officials have visited Goma, the capital of the eastern province of North Kivu, since Rwanda-backed rebels began an uprising in August 1998. The government also said it had released 450 million Congolese francs (about 1.6m euros, 1.4m dollars) to try to help those most in need.It will be the first time that Kinshasa government officials have visited Goma, the capital of the eastern province of North Kivu, since Rwanda-backed rebels began an uprising in August 1998.Ends