'Independent' Bosnia Appeal: Donations reach pounds 266,000: Readers continue giving money to aid the suffering

SHELLING has been continuing along the front between the Serbs and the eastern edge of central Bosnia, which is controlled by the mainly Muslim Bosnian army (BiH). The BiH are hoping to break out of the isolated Maglaj pocket, to allow aid to reach people who have seen none for weeks.

The Independent Bosnia Appeal stood last night at pounds 266,404.87, money which has been sent in by readers to help 15 charitable organisations that are operating to ease the plight of the 2.7 million people in former Yugoslavia who are entirely dependent on aid. For every donation to one or more of 15 charities working in the region, the Independent will add 10 per cent, up to pounds 30,000.

If you would like to support one or more of the charities please send a separate cheque for each donation, made payable to the organisation - with the wording as below - and send to: Bosnia Appeal, The Independent, 40 City Road, London EC1Y 2DB. The appeal closes on 31 January.

1 War Child; 2 Victims of War Appeal (former Yugoslavia) - this for the Red Cross; 3 Care; 4 Cafod (Bosnia); 5 Christian Aid (Bosnia); 6 Edinburgh Direct Aid; 7 Feed the Children; 8 Help the Aged Former Yugoslavia Appeal; 9 Islamic Relief Bosnia Fund; 10 Marie Stopes International (Bosnia); 11 Oxfam; 12 The Refugee Council; 13 Save the Children Fund; 14 Scottish European Aid; 15 UNA Trust Bosnia.

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