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Aid convoy sets out in DR Congo Aid convoy sets out in DR Congo
(20 minutes later)
A UN convoy has set off to provide food and medical supplies for 250,000 people displaced by recent fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A UN convoy has set off to provide water and medical supplies for 250,000 people displaced by recent fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
It will be the first aid in a week for those stranded in areas controlled by renegade Gen Laurent Nkunda's forces. It is the first aid in a week for those stranded in areas controlled by renegade Gen Laurent Nkunda's forces.
Visiting the region, the UK and French foreign ministers said urgent action was needed to ease the ongoing crisis. The convoy left Goma to supply a hospital 55 miles (88km) to the north, the sole regional medical facility.
David Miliband and Bernard Kouchner said both the implementation of peace deals and the delivery of aid were key. Visiting the region, the UK and French foreign ministers said urgent action was needed to ease the crisis.
Some quarter of a million people have been forced from their homes in two months of conflict in eastern DR Congo, and aid agencies have been forced to suspend operations in many areas.Some quarter of a million people have been forced from their homes in two months of conflict in eastern DR Congo, and aid agencies have been forced to suspend operations in many areas.
See a detailed map of the area See a detailed map of the area
Gen Nkunda's forces last week routed the Congolese military in areas around Goma, the capital of the restive North Kivu province.Gen Nkunda's forces last week routed the Congolese military in areas around Goma, the capital of the restive North Kivu province.
A fragile ceasefire is now in place, and Gen Nkunda has said he will guarantee "humanitarian corridors" for the convoy through rebel lines.A fragile ceasefire is now in place, and Gen Nkunda has said he will guarantee "humanitarian corridors" for the convoy through rebel lines.
However, according to AFP news agency, Gen Nkunda also said on Sunday he would drive the government from power unless it agreed to direct talks.However, according to AFP news agency, Gen Nkunda also said on Sunday he would drive the government from power unless it agreed to direct talks.
ForagingForaging
The BBC's Peter Greste, travelling with the convoy, says the road north of Goma is initially choked with people but, as it progresses, the refugees trickle then vanish altogether. The 12-vehicle UN convoy has medical supplies and water purification tablets but not desperately needed food.
The BBC's Peter Greste, travelling with the convoy, said the road north of Goma was initially choked with people but, as it progressed, the refugees trickled then vanished altogether.
The crisis, even if averted in the short term, will return without a new, vigorous and united political effort Bernard Kouchner and David MilibandFrench and British foreign ministers Is the world too slow to help Africa?Q&A: DR Congo conflictThe crisis, even if averted in the short term, will return without a new, vigorous and united political effort Bernard Kouchner and David MilibandFrench and British foreign ministers Is the world too slow to help Africa?Q&A: DR Congo conflict
The UN is expected to pass unhindered, he says, but the ceasefire will need to hold and that will depend on African and European diplomatic efforts.The UN is expected to pass unhindered, he says, but the ceasefire will need to hold and that will depend on African and European diplomatic efforts.
Reports of fresh clashes on Sunday night have cast doubts on the truce, our correspondent adds.Reports of fresh clashes on Sunday night have cast doubts on the truce, our correspondent adds.
While as many as 50,000 displaced reached Goma, many others have tried to return to their homes on foot through rebel-held territory.While as many as 50,000 displaced reached Goma, many others have tried to return to their homes on foot through rebel-held territory.
Many displaced Congolese have been reduced to foraging for wild roots and berries in the bush, without safe shelter, water and care.Many displaced Congolese have been reduced to foraging for wild roots and berries in the bush, without safe shelter, water and care.
The recent rebel offensive - exacerbated by a spate of killing, looting and raping by retreating Congolese soldiers - has created what aid agencies have termed a "humanitarian catastrophe".The recent rebel offensive - exacerbated by a spate of killing, looting and raping by retreating Congolese soldiers - has created what aid agencies have termed a "humanitarian catastrophe".
The aid convoy - which had initially been scheduled to leave on Sunday - includes staff and resources from UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs and is being escorted by UN troops.The aid convoy - which had initially been scheduled to leave on Sunday - includes staff and resources from UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs and is being escorted by UN troops.
It will visit places such Rutshuru - 90km (55 miles) north of Goma - where the UN said camps sheltering 50,000 refugees were last week forcibly emptied, looted and razed.It will visit places such Rutshuru - 90km (55 miles) north of Goma - where the UN said camps sheltering 50,000 refugees were last week forcibly emptied, looted and razed.
Regional summitRegional summit
In a weekend of shuttle diplomacy, the European foreign ministers met both Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Kigali and Congolese President Joseph Kabila in Kinshasa.In a weekend of shuttle diplomacy, the European foreign ministers met both Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Kigali and Congolese President Joseph Kabila in Kinshasa.
They said bilateral peace agreements already in place between regional powers must be honoured.They said bilateral peace agreements already in place between regional powers must be honoured.
Eyewitness accountsCrisis bites for refugeesEyewitness accountsCrisis bites for refugees
The envoys also held talks with African Union officials in the Tanzanian capital Dar-es-Salaam, aimed at drawing up a blueprint for regional peace talks.The envoys also held talks with African Union officials in the Tanzanian capital Dar-es-Salaam, aimed at drawing up a blueprint for regional peace talks.
The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels, but both countries' presidents have agreed to attend a regional summit on the situation.The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels, but both countries' presidents have agreed to attend a regional summit on the situation.
After visiting camps for displaced people around Goma, Mr Miliband and Mr Kouchner said establishing an aid corridor to Goma was a top priority. After visiting camps for displaced people around Goma, UK and French foreign ministers David Miliband and Bernard Kouchner said establishing an aid corridor to Goma was a top priority.
They also called for the strengthening of the 17,000-strong UN force in DR Congo (Monuc), but appeared to rule out sending EU forces.They also called for the strengthening of the 17,000-strong UN force in DR Congo (Monuc), but appeared to rule out sending EU forces.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the international community must "not allow Congo to become another Rwanda".UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the international community must "not allow Congo to become another Rwanda".
In 1994, 800,000 people died in Rwanda's genocide, which is seen as the origin of the current conflict across the border.In 1994, 800,000 people died in Rwanda's genocide, which is seen as the origin of the current conflict across the border.
Gen Nkunda says he is fighting to protect his Tutsi community from attack by Rwandan Hutu rebels, some of whom are accused of taking part in the genocide.Gen Nkunda says he is fighting to protect his Tutsi community from attack by Rwandan Hutu rebels, some of whom are accused of taking part in the genocide.
There have been accusations of collusion between DR Congo's army and Hutu guerrillas.There have been accusations of collusion between DR Congo's army and Hutu guerrillas.
The Congolese government, for its part, has accused Rwanda of backing Gen Nkunda.The Congolese government, for its part, has accused Rwanda of backing Gen Nkunda.
Rwanda denies this, but it has twice invaded its much larger neighbour in recent years.Rwanda denies this, but it has twice invaded its much larger neighbour in recent years.
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