Angola - OCHA: 20-26.Aug.98
Angola - OCHA: 20-26.Aug.98
HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN ANGOLA
Period covered: 20 - 26 August 1998
The information contained in this report was provided by the United Nations
Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit in Luanda (UCAH)
GENERAL SITUATION
The UNITA statement to stop any collaboration with the members of the
Troika has been on the headlines during the past few days. UNITA made
public their decision on Monday 24 August refusing to maintain any contacts
with the Troika, which comprises the United States, Portugal and the
Russian Federation with a mandate to observe the accomplishment of Lusaka
Protocol. Mr. Higino Carneiro, the Government spokesman to the Joint
Commission, considered the decision of UNITA as a resignation of the Lusaka
Protocol. UNITA started to blame the Troika for partiality after President
Clinton had declared UNITA as a threat to the Angolan peace process and to
the international negotiations last week, on 20 August. President Clinton
as well ordered to freeze all the properties of UNITA in United States of
America and prohibited all financial negotiations with this organisation.
The three countries of Troika have unanimously expressed their commitment
to continue their mandate despite the decision of UNITA. The acting Special
Representative of Secretary General Mr. Kofi Obeng confirmed on his side
that the peace process and the position of Troika will not be affected by
the declaration of UNITA.
The political/military situation is very tense. FAA troops are establishing
their defense lines throughout the country. UNITA is continuously refusing
to admit the existence of their military forces claiming that their only
armed elements are the 400 body-guards of Dr. Savimbi. Yet, there are
confirmed reports about armed attacks and ambushes done by some elements of
UNITA Residual Forces. The Government is making public statements to expel
UNITA from the Government institutions by the end of the month if no
improvements have taken place.
The difficult political situation in Angola and in Democratic Republic of
Congo has reinforced the regional cooperation between the governments of
the Southern African countries. The member countries of SADC (Southern
African Development Community), OUA (African Unity Organization) and UPA
(African Parliaments Unity) have all condemned the military activities of
UNITA and expressed their support for the Angolan Government. The SADC
countries are as well giving their support to President Kabila in the
Democratic Republic of Congo. Zimbabwe and Angola are providing military
support for President Kabila.
President dos Santos has received visits by the Special Envoy of President
Clinton on 22 August and the Special Envoys from Gabon and Congo
Brazzaville on 25 August. All these diplomats are working for peaceful
solutions for the present situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
GENERAL HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
As of 26 August, the humanitarian organisations have been able to confirm
149,499 new IDPs out of whom 118,109 are being assisted. The total number
of reported new IDPs including the confirmed ones is 210,000. The
humanitarian community is already facing difficulties to assist the rapidly
growing number of displaced people, especially as there is an imminent
shortage of non-food items. The most affected provinces are Malanje
(34,424), Huila (23,404), Bengo (22,405), Kwanza Norte (19,878), Huambo
(11,515), Benguela (8,078), Zaire (7,674) and Lunda Sul (6,894). Yet, new
groups of displaced people are reported throughout the country. If the
instability in the country continues, the new IDPs will not be able to
return home in time for the next planting season and will continue to
require humanitarian assistance until March 2000.
In addition to the new IDPs, there are over 600,000 registered old IDPs
that are considered a potentially vulnerable group and an additional
400,000-500,000 old IDPs who are living in Luanda, Benguela and Southern
Kuando Kubango and are not receiving any assistance. Of the 600,000 old
IDPs approximately 300,000 continue to be assisted. Humanitarian assistance
is currently been provided to a total of 446,000 new and old displaced
people.
STATUS OF APPEAL AND EMERGENCY REQUIREMENTS
The same as reported last time.
This report is available on the internet through RELIEFWEB:
http://www.reliefweb.int
Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit (UCAH) - Luanda
Mr. Francesco Strippoli
Tel.: (244 2) 34.43.21/34.82.05
Satelite Fax: (1-212) 963.3011 (Ext. 341)
Complex Emergency Response / Consolidated Appeal Process (CER/CAP) - Geneva
Mr. Ernest Chipman - Chief
Mr. Ayodeelee Fowler
Tel.: (41 22) 788.1406
Fax: (41 22) 788.6386
Registry E-Mail: Annette.Choquet@dha.unicc.org
Complex Emergencies Division (CED)-New York
Ms. Agnes Asekenye-Oonyu
Tel.: (1 212) 963.1773
Fax: (1 212) 963.1388
E-Mail: buer@un.org
Information Service
Ms. Therese Gastaut - Director
Tel.: (41 22) 917.2300
Fax: (41 22) 917.0030
E-Mail: tgastaut@unog.ch
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