Administration officials said Thursday the aid includes $35 million in new aid, added to $41.4 million approved several days ago.
Clinton said he had asked the Pentagon and Brian Atwood, administrator of the Agency for International Development, "to implement quickly a practical plan of action that can make a difference on the ground in these camps in Zaire."
The steps being taken, Atwood said, include rebuilding the air facilities at Goma, Zaire, to make it easier to ship relief materials and opening a new truck route to get larger quantities of food to victims.
Clinton was briefed on the situation by Atwood just after he returned from a visit to Zaire. At least 1,000-2,000 troops will be sent initially.
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