Angola - OCHA: 10-16.Sep.98

HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN ANGOLA
Period covered: 10 - 16 September 1998


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

GENERAL SITUATION
The leaders of the renewed UNITA, Mr. Valentim, Mr. Manuvakola and Mr.
Chilingutila respectively, held public congregations in several provinces
during the last week. At the same time in Luanda, a group of ex-UNITA
Generals made a public appeal for peace encouraging their colleagues to
give up the arms.

In the mean while, the allegations about UNITA military attacks continue.
According to the Angolan press, UNITA soldiers attacked several communities
in Huambo and Uige Provinces during the passed weeks. According to the
Government sources some attacks in Uige Province were supported by
Congolese rebels. The international community has not yet confirmed these
declarations.

President dos Santos participated at the Annual Summit for the Head of
States of SADC in Maurititus Islands between 13   14 September. The SADC
countries reiterated their support for the Angolan Government and agreed to
recognise the -Committee of Renovation- of UNITA. The SADC countries did
not proclaim condemnation against the rebel movements in the Democratic
Republic of Congo.

The SRSG Mr. Diallo is trying to maintain the dialogue through segregate
meetings between the parties involved. Mr. Diallo has analysed the current
political deadlock together with the suspended UNITA members of Parliament,
UN Agencies, representatives of the European Union and the diplomatic corp.

GENERAL HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
Military attacks and ambushes continue to aggravate the humanitarian
situation, especially in the countryside. Consequently, the number of
displaced people keeps rising. The upcoming rainy season is worrying, as
many displaced people who have access to land, do not possess seeds or the
required tools for cultivating. This will create serious problems next year
if the current level of agricultural production is reduced. Famine and
increased import costs will be the morose results that will dramatically
multiply the difficulties faced today.

The growing insecurity continues limiting the access of the humanitarian
operators to the needy groups of population. The security zones are
diminishing in several provinces, e.g., in Malanje, where the humanitarian
agencies only can operate within a perimeter of 15-20 kilometers out of the
provincial capital. The impact of the impeded access cannot be too much
emphasised. If the assistance cannot reach the vulnerable populations, the
humanitarian suffering further increases and soon creates a humanitarian
crisis. At the same time the displacement of the populations is rapidly
expanding.

As of 15 September, the humanitarian organisations have been able to
confirm 207,432 new IDPs out of whom 173,428 are being assisted. The most
affected provinces are Malanje (41,406), Huila (26,474), Bengo (26,457),
Kwanza Norte (24,375), Kuando Kubango (12,638), Huambo (11,515), Uige
(11,467), Moxico (10,905), Zaire (10,513), Bie (8,460), Benguela (8,078)
and Lunda Sul (6,894). Yet, the unconfirmed reports are estimating the
number of new IDPs close to 300,000.

STATUS OF APPEAL AND EMERGENCY REQUIREMENTS
As of 9 September, 42.3 percent of the required USD 91,200,142 have been
covered. However, IOM has indicated that due to the situation in the
country their programme requirements have been revised down to USD
5,000,000. UNHCR has also revised their budget from USD 23 million to USD
15,7 million.

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. Ayodele 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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