The major findings of the Congo mortality survey:
- 1.7 million more deaths than normally would be expected
occurred in eastern Congo between August 1998 and May 2000 as a
result of the war. This equates to 77,000 deaths per month, a
figure the IRC believes is a conservative estimate.
- Young children are missing from the demographic profile.
Some 34 percent of the excess deaths were children under five
and, depending on the location, 30 to 40 percent are children
under two years of age. In addition to the violent deaths of
children in battle zones, it is presumed that excessive
infant mortality rates and high maternal death rates have
contributed to this finding.
- In eastern Congo, war means disease. In areas surveyed,
the higher the number of victims of violent deaths, the
higher the number of victims from infectious disease and
malnutrition.
- The eastern Congo is an unchecked incubation zone for
disease. In the five surveys conducted, both endemic and
epidemic illnesses were rampant, with major outbreaks of
cholera, shigella and meningitis reported by households.
Suspected polio was reported in two of the five areas.
- Violence against civilians is inflicted by all sides in
the war. Among the deaths attributed to violence, family
members and witnesses reported that killings were committed
at a similar frequency by both government and rebel
forces.Women and children constituted 47 percent of the
violent deaths reported.
- The overall mortality rate in 2000 is higher
than it was in 1999. None of the information collected
indicates a decline in the foreseeable future.
Source: Mortality Study, Eastern Democratic Republic Of Congo
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