What did the collapse of communism lead to increased mortality in eastern europe

The collapse of Communism in the early 1990’s started a new chapter in Eastern Europe.  This was an opportunity for many countries in the region to gain their independence and change to a democratic form of government.  Unfortunately, it resulted in the rise of conflicts all over Eastern Europe between Serbia, Croatia and Albania.  The U.N. tried to give assistance but its peacekeepers but were thwarted by the Serbs.  It was only during the intervention of NATO that this conflict was put to an end.