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Before considering more recent activities, we should note another important aspect of demography in Belgian Africa.

A number of strong independent agencies, established in some cases with governmental or royal support, have conducted large medical, social, educational and research operations in particular parts of the Congo and Ruanda-Urundi.

The work of Fonds Reine Elisabeth pour l'Assistance Medicale aux Indigenes Du Congo Belge ( FOREAMI ) has special interest with respect to demography.

This agency accepted responsibility for medical services to a population ranging from 638,560 persons in 1941 to 840,503 in 1956 in the Kwango District and adjacent areas east of Leopoldville.

Each year from 1941 on, its medical staff had conducted intensive field investigations to determine changes in population structure and vital rates and, as its primary objective, the incidence of major diseases.

Its findings are reported each year in its Rapport Sur l'activite Pendant annee ( Bruxelles ).

Somewhat similar investigations have been made by medical officers in other areas.

Other independent, or partially independent agencies, have promoted investigations on topics directly or indirectly related to demography.

These studies vary widely in scope and precision.

L'Institut pour La Recherche Scientifique En Afrique Centrale ( IRSAC ) has sponsored well-designed field investigations and has cooperated closely with the government of Ruanda-Urundi in the development of its official statistics.