DATE=11/10/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE RELIEF (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256026
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations relief coordinator in
Congo-Brazzaville, Bill Paton, says that although much
suffering continues there, conditions are slowly
starting to improve. V-O-A Correspondent Breck Ardery
reports from the United Nations.
TEXT: Mr. Paton says there are still more than 800-
thousand displaced people in Congo-Brazzaville as a
result of four months of civil war. Mr. Paton
characterized them as the "largest forgotten group of
humanitarian victims in the world."
Until recently, Mr. Paton says, the extent of the
problem in Congo-Brazzaville was not fully understood
by the international community. Despite a picture of
displacement, starvation and death, Mr. Paton says a
sharp reduction in the level of fighting gives reason
for hope.
/// PATON ACT ///
Strangely, the story that I am telling you today
is the story of an improving situation. Because
the humanitarian needs are so grave and this
news is so shocking, it is difficult to see that
in any way as a positive story. But the truth
is that the reason we are getting more
information is that more than a quarter of these
people have now been able to get back to their
towns of origin and reach food supplies.
/// END ACT ///
At a briefing for reporters, Mr. Paton was asked if
there is a so-called "Africa fatigue" on the part of
donor nations. He says there is a broad fatigue
concerning humanitarian crises. However, in the case
of Congo-Brazzaville, the U-N relief coordinator says
security concerns and lack of knowledge about the
extent of the problem has slowed the necessary aid.
(Signed)
NEB/UN/BA/LSF/WTW
10-Nov-1999 17:02 PM EDT (10-Nov-1999 2202 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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