I AM writing to thank those among your readership who have donated money to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Appeal for the people in the Congo who suffered when a volcano erupted last month, destroying most of the town of Goma. Fourteen UK charities have together already raised more than £2.5 million.

Oxfam is providing safe drinking water to around 70,000 people focusing on Burare, one of the poorest areas in the eastern part of Goma. Oxfam plans to provide an emergency programme, worth £1.2 million over four months, providing clean drinking water for 100,000 people, and hygiene/sanitation facilities for around 60,000 of the most vulnerable people who are without homes.

Donations are still being accepted for the DEC Appeal by post to DEC Goma Crisis Appeal, PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA, online at www.dec.org.uk or by taking cash to Oxfam shops.

Jonathan Dorsett,

Oxfam Yorkshire and North East campaigns office,

Park Row, Leeds.

Updated: 10:25 Wednesday, March 13, 2002