How to help volcano victims

Refugees had no time to take possessions with them

Hundreds of thousands of people have been left homeless after the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo in eastern DR Congo engulfed the nearby town of Goma.

Driven out by the encroaching lava, the displaced have descended on neighbouring towns and villages, dependent on international aid for their food, shelter and medical supplies.

BBC News Online lists some of the main aid agencies working in the area, and gives details of how to donate to their appeals.

International Red Cross
www.ifrc.org
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has details of its activities in the region. Online donations are accepted.

Red Cross organisations in different countries have also established their own appeal efforts - such as the British Red Cross and the American Red Cross.

Oxfam
www.oxfam.org
Oxfam International has a general information page on the disaster. Donations can be made via the Oxfam sites in each individual country.

In the UK, contributions are accepted via Oxfam UK's special DR Congo disaster page, or by post at Oxfam, 274 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7DZ, UK. Tel: [phone]

Unicef
www.unicef.org
The United Nations Children's Fund has an extensive resource page on the current situation, and also accepts donations.

World Vision
www.wvi.org
World Vision is also active in the Goma area. In addition to its main website, the charity has more information on its national sites - the UK site has further details specific to the UK.

Care International
www.care.org
www.careinternational.org.uk
Care International has up-to-date information on the volcano disaster, and details of the charity's relief work in Rwanda and Goma. It is possible to donate online.

CARE International UK is also accepting donations at CIUK, 10-13 Rushworth Street, London SE1 0RB, UK

Christian Aid
www.christian-aid.org
British-based charity Christian Aid has produced a special report on its humanitarian efforts in Goma. You can donate online, or by post to Christian Aid, PO Box 100, London SE1 7RT, UK. Tel: [phone]

Save the Children
www.savethechildren.org.uk
The UK arm of Save the Children has information on its appeal, and opportunities to donate.

Medecins sans Frontieres
www.msf.org
This international charity providing emergency medical care has a special report on MSF's involvement in the emergency relief, as well as a donations page, with details on how to donate from different countries. In the USA, the charity is called Doctors without borders.

Merlin
www.merlin.org.uk
British-based NGO Medical Emergency Relief International has also launched an appeal. Donations are accepted online, or by post at 5-13 Trinity Street, Borough, London SE1 1DB, UK. Tel: + 44 20 7378 4888. There is also a site for US donations.

World Relief
www.worldrelief.org
The international charity World Relief also has a special appeal for the disaster victims.

Catholic Relief Services
www.catholicrelief.org
The Catholic Relief Services have launched an emergency response in the area. The site contains information about the relief effort and donation information.

International Relief Committee
www.theirc.org
The International Rescue Committee is active in Rwanda and DR Congo, and has contributed aid to the relief effort. Donations are invited.

Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Goma Crisis Appeal
www.disasters.org.uk
UK charities, including many of those listed above, have launched a joint appeal. Donations can be made online or by calling [phone].