UNHCR assistance to IDPs

The new UNHCR office in Angola has signed implementing agreements with partner agencies to accelerate the provision of assistance to some 150,000 internally displaced people (IDPs)in the northern Uige and Negage area. A UNHCR spokesman in Geneva said on Tuesday that the Portuguese-based NGO for international and cultural cooperation, CIC, will be responsible for the rehabilitation of eight health clinics in Uige province. The Italian NGO, CUAMM, also working in the health sector, will be refurbishing the maternity ward as well as the water system of the local hospital. The Danish chapter of Save the Children will provide education and community services, while Handicap International will support amputees and mine victims in Uige province. “Further discussions are underway for the implementation of water and sanitation programmes,” the spokesman said. “UNHCR is hopeful that these efforts will at least provide some relief to immediately reachable people within a two-kilometre radius around Uige town. Access and transport have been difficult due to the security situation around the town.” He said a UNHCR team of five international and local staff were working in Uige.