War in Europe: Charity update; Readers give pounds 800,000

READERS of The Independent and Independent on Sunday have made a major contribution to the fundraising effort for the Kosovo victims, donating nearly pounds 800,000 to the overall figure of more than pounds 30m, writes Chris Brown.

But the scale of the crisis is beginning to tell on the United Nations refugee agency, the UNHCR, which says it is now running out of money. Sadako Ogata, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said the cash shortage could set back efforts to help the 750,000 refugees who have had to flee Serb atrocities.

Public donations are still desperately required. If you haven't already done so, please send a cheque or postal order, made payable to "Kosovo Appeal" to: Disasters Emergency Committee, PO Box 2710, London W1A 5AD (please do not send cash in the post). Or you can make a credit card donation by calling 0990 22 22 33.