FOCUS: WAR IN EUROPE: Britons give pounds 30m

CHARITY UPDATE

THE RESPONSE of the British public to the humanitarian disaster in the Balkans is unprecedented, say British aid agencies. The Disasters Emergency Committee, co-ordinating the relief effort, said that the pounds 30m raised is beyond all their expectations. Readers of the Independent and Independent on Sunday have made a major contribution, donating pounds 767,000.

This will help the tens of thousands of refugees surrounding Kosovo, providing vital food, shelter, and medicine. But new refugees are being forced out of Kosovo daily, and will continue to do so. Donations are, therefore, still desperately required. If you haven't already done so, please send a cheque or postal order, made payable to "Kosovo Appeal" and send it to: Disasters Emergency Committee, PO BOX 2710, London W1A 5AD. (Please do not send cash in the post). Or make a credit card donation by calling 0990 22 22 33.