Report on DRCongo Excess Deaths

A recently released report by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) estimates that there were 2.5 million excess deaths (above what was normally expected) between August 1998 and March 2001 in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). While some of these deaths were the result of war violence (about 350,000), the vast majority were related to disease and malnutrition. The mortality rate among children is especially high – as much as 75% in some areas. (See the full report at  http://intranet.theirc.org/docs/mortII_report.pdf.)

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Global Health Council: Global Health in Times of Crisis

29th Annual Conference of the Global Health Council (GHC) will be held 28-31 May 2002 in Washington, DC.  This year’s focus will be on “new methods for assisting victims and refugees and new tools for quick-response situations”.  Sessions include RollBack Malaria in crisis settings, refugee health and family planning needs assessments, HIV/AIDS among refugees/IDPs, natural disaster mitigation, and psycho-social care.

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World Refugee Day

June 20 has been declared “World Refugee Day” by the United Nations. This date was chosen by churches to commemorate the Sharpeville massacre in South Africa. Celebrations are generally held in refugee camps around the world and in important centers such as Ellis Island, New York. Churches in many parts of the world have commemorated Refugee Sunday on the Sunday closest to June 20. Worship material for a commemoration may be ordered from the Refugee and Immigration Ministries of the Disciples of Christ.

 (See www.homelandministries.org/MISSIONS/RIM or order by telephone at 1-888-346-2631, Rev. Jennifer Riggs, Director)