VOA常速英语2008年-More Urgent Humanitarian Aid For Central Africa

By Barbara Schoetzau
New York
29 February 2008

The United Nations is asking for $32 million in immediate¹ humanitarian² aid for the Central African Republic (CAR). The UN's humanitarian coordinator³, Toby Lanzer, says the aid will help stabilize⁴ a volatile⁵ region. From VOA's New York Bureau, correspondent Barbara Schoetzau has the story.

Lanzer says the landlocked Central African Republic is located in a fairly rough neighborhood with Chad to the north, Sudan to the east and Congo to the south. He says the international community must recognize that an investment in the Central African Republic not only helps keep people alive, but also helps to stabilize a fragile region.

 "We have certainly seen the northeast of the CAR used in the past year in three different ways," said Toby Lanzer. "One, as a transit⁶ route for rebel groups in one country trying to get to another and take a short cut by passing through CAR. Another is rebel groups going into CAR and, let's say, seeking rest and recuperation before they go on with their ways wherever they are warring. The third way is using the northeast of the CAR as a launching pad, as a staging ground of operations either in Chard or in Sudan."

Lanzer says over 300,000 people have been forced out of their homes into the bush to as a result of incursions from warring neighbors. More than 30 aid groups are working along with the United Nations to provide sanitation⁷, shelter, food and access to health care and clean water to the displaced. The United Nations Children's Fund is running bush schools and providing vaccinations⁸.

Lanzer says the continuation of security sector⁹ reforms in the Central African Republic is a major UN goal. Right now, he says the presence of relief groups in the north is a form of protection for those who have been uprooted¹⁰ from their homes. He says gender-based violence, stemming overwhelmingly from rebel groups, is particularly troubling.

"In some parts of the north of CAR we are seeing violence waged against women and girls in particular," said Lanzer. "Perhaps 15 percent of women and girls in parts of the north of CAR have been abused sexually in the past months.

The cost of the humanitarian aid operation for 2008 is $92 million. The $32 - million appeal is being launched to meet immediate needs.

1 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

2 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

3 coordinator   

n.协调人

参考例句：

• The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, headed by the Emergency Relief Coordinator, coordinates all UN emergency relief. 联合国人道主义事务协调厅在紧急救济协调员领导下，负责协调联合国的所有紧急救济工作。
• How am I supposed to find the client-relations coordinator? 我怎么才能找到客户关系协调员的办公室？

4 stabilize   

vt.（使）稳定，使稳固，使稳定平衡；vi.稳定

参考例句：

• They are eager to stabilize currencies.他们急于稳定货币。
• His blood pressure tended to stabilize.他的血压趋向稳定。

5 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。

6 transit   

n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过

参考例句：

• His luggage was lost in transit.他的行李在运送中丢失。
• The canal can transit a total of 50 ships daily.这条运河每天能通过50条船。

7 sanitation   

n.公共卫生，环境卫生，卫生设备

参考例句：

• The location is exceptionally poor,viewed from the sanitation point.从卫生角度来看，这个地段非常糟糕。
• Many illnesses are the result,f inadequate sanitation.许多疾病都来源于不健全的卫生设施。

8 vaccinations   

n.种痘，接种( vaccination的名词复数 )；牛痘疤

参考例句：

• Vaccinations ensure one against diseases. 接种疫苗可以预防疾病。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I read some publicity about vaccinations while waiting my turn at the doctor's. 在医生那儿候诊时，我读了一些关于接种疫苗的宣传。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

10 uprooted   

v.把（某物）连根拔起( uproot的过去式和过去分词 )；根除；赶走；把…赶出家园

参考例句：

• Many people were uprooted from their homes by the flood. 水灾令许多人背井离乡。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The hurricane blew with such force that trees were uprooted. 飓风强烈地刮着，树都被连根拔起了。 来自《简明英汉词典》