Angola/Sierra Leone: Statement by USG Sergio Vieira de Mello
I am extremely concerned by the current
situation in Angola and Sierra Leone, where recent heavy fighting and insecurity
has forced humanitarian agencies to either drastically reduce their presence
and activities, or as in the case of Sierra Leone, to pull out all staff
from the country. As the violence intensifies, civilians, already in an
impoverished state, suffer loss of life, property and are forced to flee
the fighting. Hundreds of thousands have become refugees or have
been internally displaced in both countries in 1998. This must cease.
The humanitarian community in Angola
and Sierra Leone are striving to continue providing relief assistance to
the vulnerable groups through established distribution mechanisms in local
communities. However, if the fighting continues, I am concerned that we
will not be able to replenish depleting stocks of food, and, in this respect,
I call on all parties involved in the conflicts in Sierra Leone and
Angola to respect and fully protect civilian populations, whatever their
location, to guarantee the security and safety of those transporting humanitarian
assistance and to facilitate these activities by ensuring that routes travelled
-including agreed air corridors- are secure. I urge all combatants to consider
the safety of all civilians, especially women and children, and to ensure
that International Humanitarian Law is fully respected, particularly in
areas of military confrontation.