United Nations Radio

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urgently called for an immediate cease-fire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to allow humanitarian assistance to reach many thousands of displaced persons.

The Secretary-General told reporters Tuesday that he welcomed the decision by Southern African leaders of SADC (the Southern African Development Community) to provide immediate military and humanitarian aid, as well as their diplomatic initiatives to come up with a regional solution to these urgent military and political problems in the Great Lakes region.

"But first and foremost, we must stabilize the situation on the ground and end this needless violence and suffering. UN agencies are delivering food, medicine, fresh water and sanitation supplies to areas where they can operate, most particularly in Goma."

The Secretary-General says at least 100,000 refugees are cut off in areas north of the city of Goma, chiefly around Rutshuru and East Masisi. He says because of the ongoing fighting, these people have received virtually no assistance and their situation has grown increasingly desperate.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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