More than expected in demob camps, govt can't cope

The number of rebel UNITA soldiers and their families entering quartering areas to begin the demobilisation process has caught the government and aid agencies by surprise. It is estimated that three million people require immediate humanitarian assistance in Angola.

Of particular concern was that the number of troops in the quartering areas had reached over 79,000 and the number of family members with them had reached 230,000. This was in the nearly two months since the signing of the ceasefire agreement on 4 April and was far more than expected, said the UN Office in Angola (UNOA).

As the humanitarian crisis in Angola unfolds, the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has sent his Special Advisor on Africa, Ibrahim Gambari, to assess what more the UN could do to assist.

Also with Gambari is Ross Mountain, Deputy Humanitarian and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

"The mission's findings will be incorporated into the Secretary-General's report to the Security Council, including recommendations on how to adjust the mandate of the UN operation in Angola and how to restructure the overall UN presence in the country," a UN statement said.

Annan has identified the resolution of the Angolan conflict, as well as that of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as his goal for the next 18 months.

Since his arrival in Luanda, at the weekend, Gambari has had several meetings with both sides in the conflict, as well as the donor community.

Gambari was also briefed on the present situation by UNOA.

"[The] priority in this present phase is to overcome the humanitarian crisis. The conditions of those in newly accessible areas (about 800,000) are particularly worrying. IDPs [internally displaced persons] and refugees have begun to return to their areas of origin. Support for their return will be a key priority," UNOA said in a statement.

The three million people in immediate need included "the existing beneficiary caseload, vulnerable populations in the family areas and IDPs in newly accessible areas".

"The situation has stretched UN agencies and their humanitarian partners to the limit, particularly regarding food and nutrition," UNOA said.

The Angolan authorities needed urgent assistance, "especially with transport facilities, blankets, medicines and first aid items".

Members of Gambari's delegation also visited IDP camps and the quartering areas of UNITA soldiers and their families in Kuito, Bie province.

Both the government and international community recognised that "initially the situation in the camps was very bad" as none had anticipated the large influx of UNITA soldiers and their families in such a short amount of time.

Some of the quartering areas are located in areas that are difficult to access due to poor transport infrastructure.

"There were serious logistical problems [distributing] food and [other] items. However, the government and the humanitarian agencies have made a tremendous effort to correct this situation," UNOA said.