MISNA
Congo DR
02.13.02
Rwanda and the RCD-Goma, Congolese rebel movement backed by Kigali, are attempting to profit from the tragedy that afflicted the residents of the Goma region. As denounced to MISNA by an aid worker (who will remain anonymous), the Rwandan government is ordering the planes transporting aid to the population affected by the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano to land in Kigali and transport everything via land to the Goma area. However, along the way part of the aid is subtracted, it is in fact not rare to see aid packages being sold at the market in the capital. Since Saturday February 2 the RCD is also demanding the payment of a tax of 50% on all the aid provided by the NGO's. A factor that has caused several foreign organisations to interrupt their assistance operations in favour of the stricken population and leave the region. MISNA sources also indicated that the rebels have been attempting to force residents to abandon Goma, as to replace them with outsiders. This is in fact among the reasons of so much abuse and so many obstacles placed before those attempting to start reconstruction.