Hungry Congo refugees get soap, no food
Medical supplies were priority of convoy; food aid due in next shipment

updated 6:17 p.m. PT, Mon., Nov. 3, 2008

KIBATI, Congo - Refugees who haven't eaten for days cheered when the first humanitarian convoy in a week arrived Monday at their camp, but the jubilation turned into anger when U.N. workers dumped soap and jerry cans instead of food and sped on past rebel lines.

U.N. officials admit hunger at the Kibati camp, where tens of thousands of refugees have sought safety, is dire but say their first priority is resupplying clinics looted by retreating government troops.

"Are we supposed to eat this?" asked Boniface Ndayumujinya, an elderly man who waved a bundle of spring onions delivered by a friend. He said he was with eight family members who had had nothing to eat in five days.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27511974