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February 18, 2001
Christian humanitarian organization joins call for end to gem trade fueling conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo
FEDERAL WAY – World Vision and other humanitarian organizations are supporting the “Clean Diamonds Act” to be introduced in Congress this month, aimed at ending the trade in conflict diamonds. Sale of diamonds have funded brutal civil wars in Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire), Sierra Leone and elsewhere. Last summer the diamond industry promised to set up an international certification system designed to cut off the flow of “dirty”diamonds, but has failed to take meaningful steps to stop the trade. World Vision has programs that serve people affected by wars in Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). Randy Strash, World Vision’s West African Team Leader, travels regularly to West Africa. Strash oversees projects aimed at instituting area-wide development strategies - which begin with providing clean drinking water and culminate in economic development - to these African countries. Strash’s work is made all the more difficult in Sierra Leone due to ongoing regional conflicts, partially funded by the diamond trade.
WHO: Randy Strash, World Vision’s West African Team Leader oversees World Vision’s programs in Sierra Leone, where blood diamonds fund a brutal civil war. Strash has worked in former Zaire, where diamonds and other natural resources are supporting brutal civil war.
WHAT: Strash will explain the relationship between diamonds and conflicts in
Africa.
WHERE: World Vision, in person or by phone
34834 Weyerhaeuser Way South
Federal Way, WA 98063
WHEN: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST Monday, February 19
Note: B-Roll Video of the injured patients in the Goma region of the Democratic Republic of Congo is available from World Vision.
CONTACTS: mediainfo@worldvision.org
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