DATE=2/18/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-H-C-R / TIMOR (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259307
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations refugee agency, U-N-H-C-R,
has sent two U-S health experts to West Timor to
investigate reports that hundreds of East Timorese
refugees are dying from various diseases. Lisa
Schlein reports from Geneva.
TEXT: The U-N Refugee Agency says it is concerned by
reports in the Indonesian press that about 200 East
Timorese refugees, mostly children and women, have
died of various illnesses during the past week in
Indonesian-run camps in West Timor.
U-N-H-C-R spokesman Fernando Del Mundo says the press
reports say about 700 people have died in camps since
September when the East Timorese began arriving. But,
according to the reports, Mr. Del Mundo says, the
number of deaths has risen sharply in recent days
because of flooding during the monsoon season.
/// DEL MUNDO ACT ONE ///
What I know is that in the camps in the Kupang
area, for example, these are near the beach.
And, during the current rainy season, it's
obviously water-logged. There has been flooding
and according to the press reports that we're
seeing, the diseases are mainly water-borne,
mosquito-related diseases.
/// END ACT ///
According to Mr. Del Mundo, the reports say there has
been a breakdown in sanitation and water facilities in
these camps.
He says the refugee agency hopes to get confirmation
of these reports after the two health experts from the
United States investigate the situation. But he says
it is not absolutely sure the experts will be able
to gain access to the camps.
/// DEL MUNDO ACT TWO ///
Unless, obviously we get cooperation from the
Indonesian government, we'll not be able to do
very much. What I understand is that very
little has been done in terms of medical
assistance in these camps. When I was there
several months ago, most of the people are just
living in thatched huts. There are no
permanent structures there.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Del Mundo says the governor of West Timor has told
the refugees they must decide by the end of March if
they wish to go back to East Timor. He says this is
creating urgency to the agency's program to repatriate
the refugees. (Signed)
NEB/LS/JWH/KL
18-Feb-2000 08:50 AM EDT (18-Feb-2000 1350 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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