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DATE=6/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ERITREA REFUGEES (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263117
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=ASMARA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  The United Nations says about one-million 
Eritreans have been uprooted by the war with 
neighboring Ethiopia.  Many have fled heavy fighting 
near the border to areas further north or into 
neighboring Sudan.  Correspondent Nick Simeone reports 
the United Nations is concerned the upheaval could 
increase the threat of famine if people can not return 
to their land soon.
TEXT:  War is compounding Eritrea's drought.  Not only 
was this nation facing the threat of famine, now it 
has a refugee crisis on its hands.  Entire regions in 
the south caught up in the fighting have been 
evacuated, dislocating hundreds of thousands of 
people.
Festo Kavishe is the UNICEF representative in Asmara.
            /// KAVISHE ACT ///
      The government is transporting them.  In some 
      places, the army is helping them, but also there 
      are those areas where people have to travel on 
      foot.  I would say surprisingly, they are 
      arriving actually in good condition.
            /// END ACT ///
But Eritrea may be facing a much more serious and long 
term problem if refugees can not get back onto fertile 
land in time for the planting season and the coming 
rains.
            /// KAVISHE ACT TWO ///
      They are moving from areas of food production to 
      areas actually of drought and so I think in the 
      next one year or so a lot of assistance will 
      still be needed.  The areas that have been 
      affected are the food basket of Eritrea.
            /// END ACT ///
Land mines have been placed in some growing areas, and 
even if people can return in a short time, crop 
planting can not resume until they are cleared.
            /// KAVISHE ACT THREE ///
      The challenge will now be going back to those 
      areas and starting normal farming activities 
      again.
            /// END ACT ///
A trip south of the capital to the town of May-Habar 
found several hundred refugees, mostly women and 
children, being housed at an abandoned technical 
school.  All had fled fighting along the border, but 
the hot and dusty grounds had no visible toilets or 
drinking water and thousands more refugees were said 
to be still on the way.  Food is also in short supply, 
although the government says it will be able feed 
people who have fled.
The question facing Eritrea and the world is whether 
this country will be able to meet its overall food 
needs if the war continues.   (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/JP
03-Jun-2000 09:25 AM EDT (03-Jun-2000 1325 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.