The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Kibumba

European officials warned Sunday that 1.6 million displaced people are at risk in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as a UN official said help will go into rebel-held zones on Monday.

Gloria Fernandez, head of mission for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said access to rebel-held Rutshuru, in the north of Nord-Kivu province, has been organised following negotiations.

"We have organized a convoy that is going tomorrow (Monday) with the participation of international NGOs and UN agencies," Fernandez told reporters.

It is estimated that 250,000 civilians have been directly affected by the most recent conflict, particularly in Rutshuru.

"Many humanitarian organizations were forced to leave their places of work and suspend their operations temporarily," she said.

As rebels sought to reassure residents in newly-captured territories that they would be safe, Western diplomats pleaded for cooperation to address humanitarianÂ concerns .