War In The Balkans: Food and water urgently needed

READERS OF The Independent can help to alleviate the desperate plight of the Kosovo refugees by making donations to our Kosovo Appeal. The UN's latest figures confirm that more than 600,000 Albanians have been driven from their homes. They need food, blankets, hygiene kits and water purification equipment.

Readers have already generously donated more than pounds 625,000. The appeal is being handled directly by the Disasters Emergency Committee and its spokesmen say donations are being channelled as quickly as possible to those in greatest need. Some of the aid is going to impoverished communities in Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania, which have taken thousands of refugees into their homes.

To make a donation please send a cheque or postal order payable to Disasters Emergency Committee to PO Box 2710 London W1A 5AD. Or you can call 0990- 222233 to make a credit card donation.