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DATE=6/9/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGO DEATHS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263330
BYLINE=JOE CHAPMAN
DATELINE=NEW YORK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Relief officials say warfare in eastern Congo, 
the nation once known as Zaire, is causing a dramatic 
increase in deaths from hunger and disease.  V-O-A's 
Joe Chapman reports from New York. 
TEXT:  Officials of the International Rescue Committee 
estimate that one-point-seven-million people have died 
as a result of fighting in the area.  Refugee 
officials say the number of deaths from hunger and 
disease far exceeds those from violence.
Ed Bligh, an official of the privately-supported 
humanitarian group, says those fleeing from armed 
marauders are quickly weakened by a shortage of both 
food and medical supplies.  Mr. Bligh says the agency 
conducted a survey that indicates the fighting has 
caused a nearly four-fold increase in the death rate.
                  /// BLIGH ACT ///
      They conducted mortality surveys in three 
      provinces in eastern Congo, and on the basis of 
      those findings extrapolated that two-point-
      three-million people have died since August of 
      1998 when normally one would expect or baseline 
      mortality for that area would lead one to expect 
      that 600-thousand people would have died. 
                   /// END ACT ///
About one-and-one-half-million deaths are blamed on 
hunger and disease among those who have fled their 
homes.  Another 200-thousand have died violent deaths 
during the fighting that has involved troops from 
Rwanda and Uganda.
The economy of the area is ruined, and some officials 
believe the estimates understate the number of those 
who have died as a direct or indirect result of the 
fighting.  More than one-third of the deaths are among 
children younger than five.
Mr. Bligh says refugee officials and the United 
Nations have sought a lasting cease-fire. 
                  /// BLIGH ACT ///
      We're urging all the warring parties to agree to 
      an immediate cease-fire, to recommit themselves 
      and their supporters to re-establishing peace as 
      soon as possible, and to permit the delivery of 
      humanitarian aid without any conditions 
      whatsoever.
                   /// END ACT ///
A number of cease-fires have been proclaimed in the 
area, but the fighting among the warring factions has 
quickly resumed. 
NEB/NYC/JMC/LSF/WTW
09-Jun-2000 14:19 PM EDT (09-Jun-2000 1819 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.