Crisis in Congo: World Vision Begins Relief Efforts for Thousands of Displaced, Calls on Regional Lead...( -- Agency appealing for $2.8 mi...),Health

-- Agency appealing for $2.8 million globally to respond to increased needs

in eastern DRC

-- Fighting hampering delivery of critical aid; World Vision reaching

10,000 families so far

-- Friday's Nairobi summit must seek non-military, long-term

solutions, urges World Vision

GOMA, Eastern DRC, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- International relief agency World Vision has re-entered eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to begin assessing and serving the relief needs of tens of thousands of people displaced by the most recent outbreak of fighting in the area. At the same time, the agency continues to call on regional and global leaders to take actions that will protect civilians and address the root causes of the crisis.

World Vision plans to begin distributions today of family relief kits--including items like blankets, shelter materials, children's clothing and soap--to more than 10,000 families.

The agency plans to reach as many as 25,000 families as soon as security conditions allow, as well as address health, sanitation and protection needs. The agency's operations will concentrate in Shasha, Minova, Rutshuru and Goma. Preliminary information indicates an initial response plan budget of close to $3 million.

"We're in the midst of assessing suitable temporary settlement sites for people who are in urgent need of food and non-food items, shelter, water and sanitation," said World Vision aid worker Michelle Rice.

"However, the challenge of security and access continues to make it difficult to determine the numbers and whereabouts of affected people," Rice continued.

World Vision's assessment team visited Shasha and Bulengo IDP camps yesterday, discovering inadequate shelter, ramant cases of rape against women, and acute need for food and other necessities. In Shasha, people were sheltering under dried banana leaves, which did little to keep them d
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