DATE=8/25/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHANISTAN / U-N (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-265848
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations says it has completed
delivery of more than 400-tons of food to drought-
stricken people in central Afghanistan. As Ayaz Gul
reports from Islamabad, a U-N official is warning that
if road access to the region is not restored before
winter, many Afghans may starve to death.
TEXT: The ruling Taleban and opposition forces clash
frequently in central Afghanistan, and the food
shipment was made only after the United Nations
obtained permission from the two warring sides. A
senior U-N official, Michael Sempel, told reporters in
the Pakistani capital (Friday) the United Nations
hopes that the two sides will permit more trips across
battle lines to save people.
/// SEMPLE ACT ONE ///
It's good news but it's a start because there
are many more people that we have not been able
to reach yet. And even those people that we are
able to help, we have been able to provide them
three-month emergency ration (food). There will
not be another harvest until next summer. We
will need to continue delivering assistance. We
will need to repeat this kind of success. One
success is not enough to win this struggle.
/// END ACT //
Mr. Semple says the food that has been delivered so
far would feed some 2,600 families in the Darra Souf
district of the Hazarajat region. He says the people
have very little to eat. Mr. Semple says he found
that some families are trying to survive by eating
leaves and that children have started dying of
starvation.
/// SEMPLE ACT TWO ///
There is a right of access to humanitarian
assistance for civilians who are living in
conflict. We are seeking the support and the
respect of all parties to the conflict and that
whatever they do with their conflict, they
should respect the independent role of the
United Nations in assisting the civilians.
/// End Act ///
The United Nations estimates that war-devastated
Afghanistan faces a shortfall of 2.3 million tons of
wheat this year because of the prolonged drought. U-N
officials say that for the next several months the
World Food Program will be able to provide only one-
tenth of the wheat that people need. (Signed)
NEB/AG/KL
25-Aug-2000 08:58 AM EDT (25-Aug-2000 1258 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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