DATE=7/22/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-252027
TITLE=CONGO KINSHASA AID (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY -- U-N-H-C-R -- SAYS
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN CONGO-KINSHASA ARE CAUGHT IN A
CATASTROPHIC SITUATION BECAUSE OF WAR AND AN EVER-WORSENING
ECONOMY. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE AGENCY SAYS THESE
FACTORS ARE CAUSING THE NUMBERS OF REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY
DISPLACED PEOPLE TO INCREASE.
TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY FIGURES AT LEAST HALF OF CONGO-
KINSHASA'S 50-MILLION PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER BY
THE WAR. THE AGENCY ITSELF IS CARING FOR ABOUT ONE MILLION
REFUGEES AND HOMELESS PEOPLE. BUT THE AGENCY SAYS IT IS A
CONSTANT STRUGGLE TO HELP THESE PEOPLE BECAUSE IT HAS NO MONEY.
U-N-H-C-R REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR CENTRAL AFRICA, DARIOUSH
BAYANDAR, SAYS THE KOSOVO CRISIS IS DRAINING BADLY NEEDED
RESOURCES AWAY FROM THE CONGO. AND, THIS HE SAYS IS CONTRIBUTING
TO THE SERIOUSLY DETERIORATING CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE.
///BAYANDAR ACT///
(THE) HIGH RATE OF MALNUTRITION HAS RESULTED IN
EXCESSIVELY HIGH RATE OF CHILD MORTALITY. THERE ARE
EPIDEMICS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND VERY FREQUENTLY.
THERE ARE COMMUNITIES WHICH HAVE BEEN DISLOCATED. THEY
HAVE LOST THEIR MEANS OF LIVELIHOOD. THEY ARE IN DIRE
NEED. AND, THERE ARE FOOD SHORTAGES IN SO MANY PLACES.
///END ACT///
THE AGENCY ESTIMATES THAT OVER THE LAST THREE WEEKS, MORE THAN
50-THOUSAND REFUGEES HAVE FLED FIGHTING IN CONGO-KINSHASA AND
CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE. IT SAYS THIS LARGE EXODUS IS PUTTING GREAT
PRESSURE ON AID AGENCIES TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN THE WAR TORN
AREAS.
WHILE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE FLEEING TO OTHER COUNTRIES FROM
CONGO-KINSHASA, MR. BAYANDAR SAYS EVERY DAY BETWEEN 500 AND
ONE-THOUSAND REFUGEES FROM CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE ARE ARRIVING IN
KINSHASA. HE SAYS PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY ARE SUFFERING
FROM A STAGNANT ECONOMY AND HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT. BUT HE SAYS THOSE
LIVING IN THE RURAL AREAS, ESPECIALLY NEAR COMBAT ZONES, ARE PREY
TO MULTIPLE RISKS.
/// BAYANDAR ACT ///
THERE IS ALWAYS INVARIABLY LOOTING OF THE POPULATION.
PEOPLE ARE DIVESTED OF ALL THEIR BELONGINGS. THEY HAVE
TO KEEP THEIR HEAD DOWN LOW FOR AWHILE IN THE BUSHES
AROUND THE VILLAGES. AND, IN THE MEANWHILE, THEY
OBVIOUSLY HAVE LOST EITHER THE HARVEST SEASON OR THE
PLANTING SEASON, WHICH MEANS THAT THEY ARE FACED WITH
FAMINE.
///END ACT///
THE U-N REFUGEE REPRESENTATIVE SAYS THE CONGO URGENTLY NEEDS
FOOD, MEDICINE, SEEDS AND AGRICULTURAL TOOLS AND THE MEANS TO
RESTORE WATER SYSTEMS. THEN HE SHRUGS AND SAYS HE DOESN'T KNOW
WHERE HE IS GOING TO GET THE MONEY FOR ALL OF THIS. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/GE/KL
22-Jul-99 8:30 AM EDT (1230 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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