ANGOLA: Assessments in former 'no-go' zones
The Angolan government and relief agencies will soon know more about the
humanitarian needs in vast areas that have not been accessible for years. It is estimated that 500,000 people are in need of assistance in the regions previously cut off from aid because of the war.
ANGOLA: Assessments in former 'no-go' zones
The Angolan government and relief agencies will soon know more about the
humanitarian needs in vast areas that have not been accessible for years.
It is estimated that 500,000 people are in need of assistance in the regions
previously cut off from aid because of the war.
Julie Thomson, information officer for the Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), told IRIN on Tuesday that 36 joint assessments
had been planned for 13 different provinces.
However, she said: "It is difficult to know how many [people] will need
assistance. We suspect that some of the humanitarian conditions could be
quite serious."
Thomson said new operations would not necessarily be launched at all sites.
"One of the main goals of these assessments is to prioritise new operations
and to define the roles and responsibilities of the government, UN agencies
and NGOs," she said.
Since the government and UNITA rebels signed a ceasefire two weeks ago,
relief organisations have appealed for funds to deal with a possible influx
of rural Angolans desperately in need of shelter, food and medicines.
The assessments taking place would create the basis for a mid-term review of
OCHA's consolidated appeal for the year, Thomson said. She added that
because conditions had changed drastically in the past two months relief
projects would also be reprioritised.
Meanwhile, in the capital, Luanda, UNITA is divided over its future as a
political party.
UNITA-Renovada leader Eugenio Manuvakola has created a team to collaborate
with General Paulo Lukamba "Gato's" management committee which is overseeing
the party until a new leadership in elected at its next congress.
Manuvakola last week criticised Lukamba, saying the interim leadership
should be decided more democratically and should not be dominated by those
who chose violence over peace.
On Tuesday, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Kofi Annan's Under Secretary-General and
Special Advisor on Africa, met a UNITA-Renovada delegation headed by
Manuvakola in Luanda.
Referring to the division between UNITA's members of parliament and armed
wing, he said after the meeting: "I re-emphasize that it's not a matter for
the United Nations to interfere with the internal affairs of UNITA, with
respect to the emergence of a leader. We re-emphasize the need for a united
UNITA, and the importance of a united UNITA for the peace process and to
deepen democracy in the country.
"Manuvakola briefed me on the efforts they are making at reunification, and
I'm thankful for that brief and his comments on the role of the UN. I
promise to convey faithfully this message to the Security Council and to the
Secretary-General."
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