DATE=04/11/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-288585

TITLE=RED CROSS / ARGENTINA (L-O)

BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN

DATELINE=GENEVA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

says millions of people in Argentina are threatened with hunger and illness

as the southern winter approaches. Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports the Red

Cross is appealing for more than one-million dollars to help tens of

thousands of the most vulnerable.

TEXT: The International Red Cross says it has not issued an appeal for

Argentina for 10 years. It says it is doing so now because of the

unprecedented levels of poverty which will not disappear in the immediate

future. Red Cross spokesman, Denis McClean says more than 15-million people

are living below the poverty line. He says many of the traditional support

structures which formerly took care of the poor have disappeared.

/// McCLEAN ACT ///

This includes things like communal soup kitchens which the Red Cross has always supported, but the people in need of these

services, their numbers are increasing, particularly among the elderly and

those who do not have any support from the state or are unemployed. And the

pressure is such that we decided to put into place the program of social

support working with the Argentine Red Cross to meet the most vulnerable,

particularly the elderly and small children.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. McClean says the Red Cross obviously can not take care of 15-million

people. So, he says it has selected more than 50-thousand of the most

vulnerable to assist. He says the agency is targeting people who are

absolutely destitute and would have no chance of surviving the harsh

Argentine winter without help.

/// 2nd McCLEAN ACT ///

There is no doubt that the country is going

through a very serious crisis and elderly people, for example, living on

their own who do not have the support of an extended family structure will

definitely have difficulty surviving this winter if the Red Cross does not

come to their aid with food packages and basic health care.

///END ACT///

Mr. McClean notes that Argentinašs public health system is over stretched.

Therefore, he says the Red Cross also will support primary health care

services in schools, community centers and centers for senior citizens. (Signed)

NEB/LS/RH