Angola - OCHA: 24-30.Sep.98
Angola - OCHA: 24-30.Sep.98
HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN ANGOLA
Period covered: 24 - 30 September 1998
The information contained in this report was provided by the
United Nations Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit in Luanda (UCAH)
GENERAL SITUATION
On 24 September, the Angolan Government lifted the suspension of the
majority of UNITA members in GURN. Yet, the Minister of Geology and Mines
and the Vice-Minister of Communication were formally dismissed by a
presidential decree "for the supreme interests of the Nation in the context
of peace process and the national reconciliation." Mr. Eugenio Manuvakola
has been referred as being replacing Abel Chivukuvuku as a Leader of the
Parliamentary Group of UNITA, although a communique signed by UNITA's
parliamentary group considers this irregular and illegal. The next
Parliament Session will be opened on 15 October.
The Central African Countries Heads of State Summit appealed for a
withdrawal of all the support for Jonas Savimbi and his allegiances.
Furthermore, the international community and the UN Security Council were
requested to support the "Renovation Committee" of UNITA. The summit took
place in Libreville, Gabon, on 24 September with a main focus on the
current situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
During the past week, UNITA military forces allegedly occupied the
community of Kalambata, Zaire Province and Calandula in the province of
Malanje. Few days later, the FAA reoccupied Calandula.
The SRSG Mr. Diallo continues his meetings with the diplomatic corps. The
Russian Ambassador in Angola was consulted on 25 September, the day after
the reiterated appeal by the Troika Observers for a peaceful solution in
the current conflict. Mr. Diallo also discussed the current situation with
the Ambassador of Israel.
The Angolan-Namibian Committee for Defense and Security reaffirmed the
position adopted by the SADC countries condemning Jonas Savimbi and his
military alliances. The Committee also requested the withdrawal of the
Ugandan and Rwandan troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The SADC Defense and Security meeting was held on 29-30 September in
Luanda. The members were concerned about the "preoccupying situation" in
the southern part of Africa.
GENERAL HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
The difficulties in delivering humanitarian assistance are further
aggravatied while the number of vulnerable groups is increasing. The
persistent attacks and general insecurity in rural areas are causing a
continuous influx of internally displaced people throughout the country.
The deteriorating security and utmost tense military situation had led to
the suspension by MONUA of all the security clearances for road movements.
Yet, the suspension has been lifted, but the movements still remain
restricted.
Malanje City neighborhood, which is hosting the highest number of IDPs in
the country, is facing serious problems in assisting the needy populations.
Many of the IDP reinstallation areas are presently inaccessible to
international staff due to insecurity. The Government policy to move the
IDPs to the periphery can not be implemented as some groups are already
returning back to the city due to the lack of assistance. Furthermore, some
attacks were reported in the reinstallation areas of IDPs. If the situation
further deteriorates, a massive re-displacement towards Malanje City can be
expected. A similar situation is taking place in M'Banza Congo, Zaire
Province and in Kaala and Ukuma in Huambo Province.
The humanitarian organisations and the local authorities are developing
strategies to create camps with an access to agricultural land for IDPs in
more safe areas. Big efforts are being done for distributing seeds and
tools before the beginning of the next planting season in October.
The increased insecurity on the main roads used by humanitarian convoys has
caused an increasing need of airlifts for delivering relief aid items.
According to the WFP, the unexpected increase of air transportation
requires an additional funding of approximately USD 640,000 to cover the
anticipated cost shortfall until the end of the year.
STATUS OF THE INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE
BASIC FACTS
Reported number of new IDPs since January 1998 317,367
Confirmed number of new IDPs since January 1998 221,680
Number of new IDPs assisted 156,345
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
The official status of the Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal remains at 42,3
percent of the required USD 91,200,142. However, new donations have been
reported in the country. UK has contributed with approximately USD 627,000
for the Emergency Response Fund of UCAH and another USD 331,500 for the
UCAH - Field Coordination Unit operating in the seven key provinces. WFP
has been pledged with USD 2,100,000 also by UK for their special airlift
appeal.
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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