VOA标准英语2008年-UN Voices Concern About Conflict in Southern Ph

The United Nations has expressed concern over a developing humanitarian¹ crisis in the southern Philippines, after fierce fighting between government troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front displaced some 160,000 people. VOA Correspondent Nancy-Amelia Collins reports from Jakarta.
　
A female Muslim displays her placard calling for peace as she shouts 'Allah is Great] after the regular Friday prayer in Manila, 08 Aug 2008

The United Nations said, Wednesday, it is "concerned about the unfolding humanitarian crisis" in the southern Philippines, after entire communities were forced to flee villages in North Cotabato on the southern Philippine island, Mindanao.

In a statement, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appealed for "restraint, protection of all civilians², as well as access for the provision of speedy humanitarian assistance."

At least 160,000 people have fled 15 mainly Christian³ villages in North Cotabato Province, since Sunday, after the military launched air and ground attacks on positions where hundreds of guerillas from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have been positioned since last month.

The government says it has retaken all 15 villages, but villagers have yet to begin to return home.

The government estimates only 10 percent of the displaced are staying in evacuation centers, with the rest lodging⁴ with relatives or camping outside.

The renewed violence in the southern Philippines follows a decision last week by the country's supreme⁵ court to suspend a deal which would give the MILF a larger homeland and greater autonomy.

The MILF has been negotiating a deal with the government that would extend the Muslim homeland and grant it wider political and economic power.

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu told VOA his organization remains⁶ committed to the peace process.

"Definitely, we are willing to abide⁷ by the rules, meaning as far as the relationship of the government troops and the MILF is concerned, there is always a provision provided for under the ceasefire agreement. Meaning we will abide [by] whatever the rules [are] under that agreement," Kabalu said.

The MILF has been fighting for independence since the last 1960s, in a conflict that has claimed the lives of more than 120,000 people.

The Philippines is predominantly Roman Catholic, but five percent of the population is Muslim, mostly living in the impoverished⁸ south.

 

1 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。

2 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

3 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

4 lodging   

n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍

参考例句：

• The bill is inclusive of the food and lodging. 账单包括吃、住费用。
• Where can you find lodging for the night? 你今晚在哪里借宿?

5 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

6 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

7 abide   

vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受

参考例句：

• You must abide by the results of your mistakes.你必须承担你的错误所造成的后果。
• If you join the club,you have to abide by its rules.如果你参加俱乐部，你就得遵守它的规章。

8 impoverished   

adj.穷困的，无力的，用尽了的v.使（某人）贫穷( impoverish的过去式和过去分词 )；使（某物）贫瘠或恶化

参考例句：

• the impoverished areas of the city 这个城市的贫民区
• They were impoverished by a prolonged spell of unemployment. 他们因长期失业而一贫如洗。 来自《简明英汉词典》