The survey concerns the rebel-held eastern part of RDC: North Kivu, South Kivu, Orientale Province, Maniema and (northern) Katanga. The number of inhabitants in this region in August 1998 is approximatively 20 million people.
Here we only give some statements from the report:
- The IRC estimates that 2.5 million excess deaths have occurred during the 32-month period. The overwelming majority of deaths were related to disease and malnutritions. The survey puts the number of violent deaths at 350.000. [Here 'excess deaths' means deaths occurred in excess of the number normally expected.] (p.3)
- Consistently, there are significantly fewer children one and two years old than three and four years old. This is evidence that the mortality experience has changed over the past four years. (p.12)
- Five of seven locations (considered in the survey) in eastern DRC have an under-five mortality rate over 10/1,000/month (1% per month). A continuous under-five mortality of 10/1,000/month means that 60% of children die before their fifth birthday!. (p.12)
- In five of the seven populations surveyed, deaths exceeded birth among interviewed houshold members.(p.13). Four of seven areas visited have 8% or more of the population dying annually, and deaths outnumber birth in those areas by two or three to one. (p.19)
- Approximately 2.5 million 'excess deaths' have occurred in eastern DRC, making this perhaps the most deadly African conflict in recent decades. (p.19)
- Aside from the mortality rates themselves, having approximatively 3 to 4% as many maternal deaths as live births depicts a situation of extreme suffering (p.19).
- The findings indicate that one in eight households has experienced the murder of a family member in a 33-month period. This level of violence and social disruption is difficult to fathom for people in a stable nation. (p.20)
Nico Dekker
8 /11/01