DATE=7/20/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-251963
TITLE=CONGO BRAZZAVILLE REFUGEES (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS THERE HAS BEEN A
DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES FLEEING
CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE FOR NEIGHBORING GABON. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA
REPORTS THE U-N AGENCY SAYS THE NUMBER OF ARRIVALS HAS CLIMBED
FROM 15-HUNDRED TO AN ESTIMATED 20-THOUSAND IN JUST TWO WEEKS.
TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS THERE HAS BEEN AN SURGE IN
FIGHTING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND REBELS IN POINTE NOIRE, NEAR
THE GABON BORDER. IT SAYS THE INTENSITY OF THE ATTACKS IS
DRIVING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FROM THEIR FOREST RETREATS, AND THEY
ARE HEADING FOR SAFETY IN GABON.
U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN, PAUL STROMBERG SAYS MOST OF THE REFUGEES ARE
WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND THE ELDERLY. HE SAYS ONLY A VERY SMALL
NUMBER OF YOUNG MEN ARE AMONG THE REFUGEES.
/// STROMBERG ACT ///
PEOPLE ARE TAXED BY THE REBELS IN ORDER TO LEAVE. THAT
IS THE WAY THEY HAVE OF GETTING MONEY AND OF KEEPING
PEOPLE ON HAND TO HELP THEM OR TO USE THEM AS HUMAN
SHIELDS. THESE PEOPLE SAY THAT THERE MAY BE MORE ON THE
WAY, THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE IN THE FOREST. AND AS THE
FIGHTING CONTINUES, WE MAY SEE MORE OF THEM.
/// END ACT ///
MR. STROMBERG SAYS MANY OF THE REFUGEES ARE EXTREMELY
MALNOURISHED, AFTER LIVING FOR A LONG TIME IN THE FOREST WHERE
FOOD IS SCARCE. HE SAYS GABON IS NOT USED TO HAVING REFUGEES ON
ITS DOORSTEP AND IS ILL-EQUIPPED TO CARE FOR THEM.
THE U-N SPOKESMAN SAYS MANY OF THE CONGOLESE REFUGEES ARE
GATHERED IN LARGE SITES THAT HOLD UP TO TWO-THOUSAND PEOPLE.
SOME ARE SLEEPING OUTSIDE OR ARE CROWDED INTO SHELTERS THEY HAVE
BUILT THEMSELVES.
MR. STROMBERG SAYS THE LUCKY ONES ARE LIVING WITH LOCAL VILLAGERS
WITH WHOM THEY HAVE TRIBAL AFFINITIES. HE SAYS OTHERS ARE
HEADING FOR SOME OF GABON'S URBAN CENTERS.
/// STROMBERG ACT ///
OUR FIRST GOAL WILL BE TO SET UP SOME TEMPORARY SHELTERS
OR SITES TO GIVE THEM ADEQUATE DRINKING WATER AND TO
BRING IN MORE EMERGENCY AID. THE AID WE BROUGHT IN AT
FIRST WAS FOR ABOUT 15-HUNDRED PEOPLE. WE WILL HAVE TO
TAKE IN MORE MEDICATION, MORE BLANKETS AND MORE FOOD,
WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE PURCHASED LOCALLY UNTIL MORE
ADEQUATE RELIEF SYSTEMS CAN BE SET UP IN THESE BORDER
AREAS.
/// END ACT ///
THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND UNICEF, THE U-N CHILDREN'S
FUND, ARE PLANNING TO VACCINATE THE MOST VULNERABLE RECENT
ARRIVALS. THE LOCAL RED CROSS WILL HELP WITH THE DISTRIBUTION OF
RELIEF ITEMS. THE GROUP, "DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS", IS SENDING A
TEAM FROM PARIS TO EVALUATE THE REFUGEE SITUATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/GE/RAE
20-Jul-99 12:01 PM EDT (1601 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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