UN Children's Fund to feed and inoculate 10,000 families in DR of Congo

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is providing food aid and other assistance to some 10,000 families, as well as measles inoculations and basic education for the children, in the strife-ridden eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

According to UNICEF, it will cooperate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in mounting the operation to help 50,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), who are now accessible.

"The interventions cover water and sanitation, shelter and cooking materials and high protein biscuits for vulnerable children. Planning is underway for the organization of a measles vaccination campaign and an emergency education programme for displaced children," it said yesterday.

UNICEF's $4.2 million Rapid Response Fund of cash and supplies, supported by the United Kingdom and Norway, enabled it work through partner organizations in sending assistance within 48 hours to people in an acute humanitarian crisis, it said.