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UN Asks $1.25 Million for Farmers Hurt by Congo Volcano VOA News 31 Jan 2002 21:37 UTC 
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO, has appealed for $1.25 million in aid for farmers and refugees hit hard by the volcanic eruption earlier this month in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a statement released Thursday, the U.N. agency said international emergency assistance to farmers in eastern Congo is needed to avert a serious threat to food and agriculture in the area. The organization says thousands of farmers lost their homes and farms when the Nyiragongo volcano erupted January 17 near the town of Goma.
FAO Emergency Coordinator Alexis Bonte says the area around the volcano is some of the most fertile land in the region. She says the eruption could have long-term effects on food production and will likely result in sharply increased food prices.
The FAO says the emergency funding it is requesting would be used to rebuild homes and farms, as well as supply seeds and agricultural tools to about 6,000 affected farmers in the region.
Some information for this report provided by AP.
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