DATE=2/21/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N / CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259393
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A United Nations official says the
humanitarian situation in Congo-Brazzaville is
improving. Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports the U-N
official says an estimated 400-thousand displaced
people have returned to their home areas since a cease
fire accord was signed by the Congo-Brazzaville
government and rebel forces at the end of last year.
TEXT: The U-N resident coordinator in Congo-
Brazzaville, Bill Paton, says the situation in the
country is changing with astonishing speed.
He says about one-third of the population, about 800-
thousand people, were displaced by the war. Most fled
from Brazzaville and nearby cities to remote, forested
areas in the interior of the country.
Mr. Paton says more than half of these people now have
returned home. And, another 200-thousand are expected
to return in the next two months. He says these
people received little attention and little assistance
throughout the war. And, he says, they suffered
terribly.
/// PATON ACT ONE ///
Tens of thousands died, tens of thousands were
raped, 60 percent of food production was
destroyed, 70 percent of all of the returnees
who did make it into town were malnourished, 40
percent of all returnees who arrived were
severely malnourished and needed to go on a
liquid diet.
/// END ACT ///
In addition, Mr. Paton says more than half of
schooling stopped and 50 percent of all medical
facilities were destroyed.
Since peace was restored, he says, the United Nations
has been able to provide food and other assistance to
many of the displaced. But, he says, some areas still
remain inaccessible because of poor roads and damaged
bridges. He says it is critical that the
international community increase its support and
interest in the Congo.
/// PATON ACT TWO ///
Firstly, to finally deliver the emergency relief
into the affected interior that was so badly
needed last year and which we were unable to
deliver. Secondly, in diversifying our
activities away from purely emergency relief, to
support this process in such areas as
integration of ex-combatants or in the
rehabilitation of communities so that people can
make a go again of a peaceful and stable life.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Paton says Congo-Brazzaville must work quickly to
strengthen the peace. He says the country must draft
a new constitution, hold elections and build an
independent judiciary and parliament. (Signed)
NEB/LS/JWH/KL
21-Feb-2000 10:35 AM EDT (21-Feb-2000 1535 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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