DATE=1/23/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N REFUGEE AIRLIFT (L O)
NUMBER=2-258345
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations is mounting an emergency
airlift of thousands of Angolan refugees stranded in a
remote area of Western Zambia. Lisa Schlein has more
from Geneva.
TEXT: More than seven-thousand Angolans have fled to
Kalabo in Western Zambia to escape intensified
fighting between Angolan government and UNITA rebel
forces. The U-N Refugee Agency reports these people,
mainly women and children, have been walking for days
and even weeks.
The Agency says many are in appalling condition. They
are traumatized as a result of their ordeal. Some are
sick and malnourished. U-N Refugee Spokesman, Jacques
Franquin, says roads leading to Kalabo are impassible
because of heavy flooding. He says the emergency
airlift will deliver urgently needed food, medicine
and other relief supplies to the refugees.
/// FRANQUIN ACT ///
The only way to reach the people is to bring an
aircraft and bring the material there. And, at
the same time, refugees will be transported from
Kalabo to Mongu at the rate of more or less six-
flights a day. And, transporting between 60 to
70-people for each flight.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Franquin says the operation will last nine days.
Each flight will carry up to eight-tons of food to the
stranded refugees. After the plane has dropped off
its cargo of food and other relief supplies, it will
take off again with refugees. By the end of the nine-
day operation, at least three-thousand refugees are to
have been transported out of the area.
Mr. Franquin says the most vulnerable refugees will be
the first to be evacuated. Once the refugees arrive
in Mongu, they will be taken by truck to existing
refugee camps where they will receive care. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/DW/RAE
23-Jan-2000 11:58 AM EDT (23-Jan-2000 1658 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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