Grim results from humanitarian assessment missions

Malnutrition levels in at least seven newly accessible areas in Angola are "critical", according to the United Nations.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday that inter-agency rapid assessments in 28 areas which were cut off from relief aid before May because of the war indicated that people needed assistance urgently.

"Populations in all of the assessed locations urgently require basic health care, sanitation, portable water, essential non-food items, education and proof of identity," OCHA said in a report.

"Preliminary results from the assessments indicate that critical malnutrition exists in at least seven newly accessible locations: Bunjei, Chilembo, Chipindo, Cuemba, Sanza Pombo and the Ussoque and Vila Franca communes in Londuimbali municipality," the report said. The areas are in Huambo, Huila, Bie and Uige provinces.

It said that while assessments in 12 locations had to be cancelled because of logistical constraints and mine infestation, four further assessments would take place this week.

OCHA said the World Food Programme (WFP) had already launched emergency food programmes in Bunjei, Sanza Pombo, Chilembo and Chipindo as a result of the completed assessments. It also planned to launch operations in Cuemba, Ussoque, Vila Franca, Tchicala, Tsholoanga and Catchiungo as soon as possible.

Humanitarian partners estimate that at least 500,000 people from areas which were previously inaccessible will need aid in coming months as Angola's fragile peace process takes hold and more of the countryside is opened up to relief agencies.

And, increasing the caseload of relief agencies which are already stretched to the limit in the areas they operate, a taskforce headed by UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Angola, Erick de Mul, is drafting a contingency plan for emergency assistance in support of government efforts in quartering areas where UNITA soldiers and their families are gathering in preparation for demobilisation.

"According to the Joint Military Commission [which is overseeing the quartering process], approximately 42,150 UNITA soldiers and 73,800 family members have been quartered ... The government has purchased food and non-food items and authorities have distributed some assistance to a number of cantonment areas," OCHA said

Relief agencies do not yet have access to people in the quartering areas.

OCHA and its humanitarian partners are to conduct a mid-term review of their 2002 consolidated appeal soon in light of the rapidly changing humanitarian situation in the country.