Angola - OCHA: 17-23.Sep.98
Angola - OCHA: 17-23.Sep.98
HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN ANGOLA
Period covered: 17 - 23 September 1998
The information contained in this report was provided by the United Nations
Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit in Luanda (UCAH)
GENERAL SITUATION
The -Renovation Committee- of UNITA gained over 1,000 new supporters
according to the Angolan press, published on 22 September. The new fraction
of the opposition party has allegedly gained more votes almost every day
during the passed week. Also the Presidents of Namibia and Mozambique
reiterated their support for the -Renovation Committee.-
The Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joao Miranda met the diplomatic Corps
on 16 September and requested on behalf of the Angolan Government, the UN
and the Troika Observers, to recognise the members of the -Renovation
Committee- of UNITA as the new leaders of the opposition party.
Later on, Mr. Miranda gave a press interview, just before embarking for the
53rd Session of the UN General Assembly. The Vice-Minister of Foreign
Affairs affirmed the unalterable line of the Government to recognise the
-Renovation Committee- as the only legitimate interlocutor of UNITA. Mr.
Miranda refused commenting on the request of the SG to re-admit the
suspended UNITA members of the Government and National Assembly.
President dos Santos discussed possible solutions for the current
instability in Central Africa together with a Special Envoy of the
President of Congo Brazzaville last weekend in Luanda.
The American Ambassador in Angola, Donald Steinberg, brought a new message
from President Clinton to President dos Santos on 21 September and
discussed about the present situation in Angola during his audience.
On 23 September a Special Envoy of the President of Gabon, Mr. Ping met
President dos Santos also deliberating the prevailing situation in Central
Africa.
GENERAL HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
Despite several pro-peace declarations proclaimed during the past week, the
situation on the ground is not turning more positive. A serious attack
against the humanitarian community was perpetrated on Wednesday 16
September in Kuanza Norte Province, when a relief aid convoy was ambushed.
The 21 truck caravan escorted by MONUA Blue Helmets, was transporting food
aid items for Uige Province in the northern part of the country. The
violent attack resulted in the death of one UN member and of six others
injured. The trucks with food load managed to return unharmed, but three
MONUA trucks were burnt -in situ- by the attackers. The frightful incident
has deeply shocked the humanitarian community and raises the question about
a secure continuation of humanitarian activities. For the time being, MONUA
has decided to suspend all convoys as well as security clearances for road
movements.
As a result of the continued insecure and tense situation, particularly in
Malange, Uige and Kwanza Norte, internal displacement continues. It appears
that the more recent displacements are a result of fear and general
insecurity rather than actual attacks. While the IDPs are considered
vulnerable in general, it is recognised that in some situations they are
able to carry limited supplies of food and non-food items. Therefore, the
humanitarian community assesses IDP needs on a case by case basis. The IDPs
are still supplied with agricultural inputs, where possible, to increase
their self-sufficiency. Those arriving without any resources are provided
with food for a limited time and basic non-food items.
In areas experiencing a heavy influx of IDPs such as Malange, Huila,
Huambo, Uige and Bengo, UN Agencies and NGOs in collaboration with
Government authorities are identifying available land and taking stock of
available seeds and tools for use in agricultural projects during the next
few months. Of the five areas mentioned above, allocation of land has begun
in Uige and Malange, and discussions are progressing in Huila and Huambo.
The international community is able to monitor most of the 211,460
registered IDPs as the majority of them are concentrated in provincial
capitals and a few accessible municipal capitals. Yet, there are at least
40,000 registered IDPs who are either no longer accessible by the
humanitarian community.
BASIC FACTS
Reported number of new IDPs since January 1998 301,448
Confirmed number of new IDPs since January 1998 211,640
Number of new IDPs assisted 142,626
CONFIRMED NEW IDPs IN THE MOST AFFECTED PROVINCES
Malanje 53,894
Huila 26,474
Bengo 26,457
Kuanza Norte 24,375
Kuando Kubango 12,638
Huambo 11,515
Uige 11,347
Moxico 10,905
Zaire 10,513
Status of Appeal and Emergency Requirements
Remains 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. 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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