Between August and October 2002 I had the pleasure of carrying out an emergency survey of the Pool Region of the Republic of Congo on behalf of IRC. The Region was once the main breadbasket of Brazzaville, but was also the constituency base of the loosing faction in the civil war which (more or less), ended in 1999. As such it has seen little reconstruction and no investment, and is still heavily garrisoned by Government troops and militias from the winning factions (Cobras and Cocoyes). Fighting broke out again in early 2002, either as an attempt by holdouts on the peace process (Ninja Militia) to subvert the elections, or as part of a power struggle within the Government and an excuse for a crackdown. Together with the Brazzaville IRC team I carried out a survey of the general humanitarian conditions in the Pool Region following the renewal of figthing, with a special emphasis on the health sector. The Republic of Congo by any standards should be well off. It is a major oil exporter, has fertile soil, a relatively small population, and the highest education level in the region. Instead because of resource allocation, post-colonial legacies and lack of infrastructure it is in dire straits, with few prospects of future improvement as oil revenues are already declining. For me it was a wonderful opportunity to see a very interesting country, look at a whole new set of problems, and work with some great people. Dedicated to Linda, Euloge, Gilbert, Dumont, "Street Gang", Roloff ,Tambakana' and Dr Loussambou

CONGO 2002