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."