Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-02-07-Speech-4-164"
Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
---|---|
rdf:type | |
dcterms:Date | |
dcterms:Is Part Of | |
dcterms:Language | |
lpv:document identification number |
"en.20020207.9.4-164"2
|
lpv:hasSubsequent | |
lpv:speaker | |
lpv:spokenAs | |
lpv:translated text |
"Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, it never rains but it pours, but this especially applies to the distressed population in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Not only have they suffered under conditions of war for years, resulting in numerous refugees, and occupation by neighbouring Rwanda, their plight has now also been compounded by volcanic eruptions. Recent tragic reports confirm the miserable situation the population is in. The short dry season has started and a blanket of heat has descended on the country. There is toxic dust, and toxic vapours are emerging from the lava. The population has no firewood and uses the heat of this lava stream for their cooking fires. You understand that this is a miserable situation involving a city which – at least in part – is reminiscent of Hiroshima in terms of destruction.
The section of the city that was not affected by the eruption lives its normal life, insofar as this is possible under these circumstances and under the occupation. This means, therefore, that it is very difficult to distinguish the real victims from the others, and it is currently hard to tell who is suffering the most. This is a report which I have also found confirmed in a recent communication by the Bishops’ Conference which complains about the fact that the rations supplied are, in fact, insufficient, while the food supply is adequate; that a large section of the city has been razed to the ground but that it is hard to tell who are, in fact, the people who have really been hit. Surveys have been carried out, but the results of these are yet to be confirmed.
Fortunately, a stream of international aid has been set in motion, and the European Union has played a prominent role in this. I feared that, in my speech here, I would have to pass on a few complaints, for they are obviously brought to my attention. For example, I hear that all aid has to go via Kigali, and that the situation is being taken advantage of there. On the other hand, I have been told that Kigali airport is the most convenient in terms of freight handling, and that aid is no longer being hindered at the moment.
I know that aid has been supplied by the Democratic Republic of Congo to Bukavu and that it has to leave from there. However, that aid is labelled as aid from the Congolese population, and the occupying forces therefore do not allow the goods to be distributed.
I therefore want to put your minds at rest in a way, but the measures announced by the European Parliament are absolutely vital."@en1
|
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples