Angola - OCHA: 27.Aug-02.Sep-98

HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN ANGOLA
Period covered: 27 August - 2 September 1998

The information contained in this report was provided by the United Nations
Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit in Luanda (UCAH)


GENERAL SITUATION

Time is out! UNITA was asked to leave all their positions previously
occupied in the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation on 1
September at 0:00 hours. The Angolan Government decided to suspend UNITA
minister, deputy-minister and members of the Parliament until the
opposition party clarifies its position towards the national peace process.
The National Assembly in their announcement blames UNITA for violation of
the Angolan constitution, the law for political parties and the Lusaka
Protocol. The President of the National Assembly had asked the Supreme
Court to assess the possibilities of suspending UNITA members form the
Parliament, and the Supreme Court gave a favorable opinion. On 2 September,
four UNITA members of the Government, including the Minister of Tourism,
questioned the position of Dr. Savimbi as a party leader pointing him out
as responsible for the delay in fulfillment of the Lusaka Protocol. The
four UNITA politicians declared in a press conference the need to establish
one democratic UNITA and requested suspension of Jonas Savimbi.

The Joint Commission held a follow-up meeting on 27 July with special
attention to military, humanitarian issues and human rights. Even though
UNITA had declared last week that they would ignore and close all
collaboration with the Troika, all the three countries of the Troika were
present in the meeting. The session was carried out without any comments
from either the Government or UNITA Delegates. Yet, both Portugal and the
USA expressed their readiness to further support funding for humanitarian
assistance.

The new Special Representative of Secretary General, Mr. Issa Diallo,
arrived in Luanda on 28 August. In his press interview, Mr. Diallo
acknowledged the current critical situation of the Angolan peace process
and the difficulties regarding his own mandate. Mr. Diallo wishes to find
enough political will among the protagonists in the peace process. On 31
August, Mr. Diallo departed for Durban, South Africa to attend the summit
of the Non-Aligned Countries and meet the Secretary General, who is likely
to give him further instructions for the peace negotiations.

The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo is receiving much
attention in the public news. Apparently, both the Government and UNITA
have their troops abroad fighting for their own interests, respectively.
Heavy military artillery has been transported to northern Angola,
presumably intended for the further support of Kabila.

GENERAL HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
The Angolan people continue to suffer, as the political/military situation
remains unstable. The humanitarian community is very concerned about the
current emergency situation in many parts of the country, where for several
months already the humanitarian activities have been limited due to  the
deteriorating security situation. Today, the scarce resources of relief aid
items are also restraining assistance for the vulnerable populations. The
imminent shortage of non-food items is most alarming. Donors have been
urged to provide a positive response to the needs of organisations that are
in the front line providing the assistance for the displaced people. It is
unfortunate, that at the same time the number of new displaced people
continues to increase every day.

As of 1 September, the humanitarian organisations have been able to confirm
177,871 new IDPs out of whom 155,605 are being assisted. The most affected
provinces are Malanje (38,380), Huiila (26,474), Bengo (22,405), Kwanza
Norte (19,878), Huambo (11,515), Moxico (8,158), Benguela (8,078), Zaire
(7,674), Luanda Sul (6,894), Uiige (11,467) and Biee (6,216).

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. Aydoele 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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