United Nations, Sep 21 (IANS): The UN refugee agency said Friday it is seeking an extra fund of $21.4 million to assist civilians who have fled the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to take refuge in neighbouring Uganda, Xinhua reported.

The amount covers needs until the end of the year and has been revised to reflect the influx into Uganda's Bundibugyo district of tens of thousands of refugees from the Kamango area of DRC's North Kivu province since July, said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

It is part of the total $43.7 million which UNHCR is seeking to help Congolese refugees who have arrived in Uganda to escape violence in North Kivu province since early 2012. The larger appeal is only 28 percent funded so far.

The funds are vital for, among other priorities, providing health, water, sanitation and education services, as well as shelter materials, farming packs and household items.