Humanitarian situation in Angola requires a coordinated, system-wide emergency response

Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Angola
Luanda, 3 October 2002 - Humanitarian partners are currently preparing the 2003 Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Angola. The Appeal, developed in consultation with the Angolan Government, national and international non-governmental organisations (NGO) and donors, will focus of life-saving assistance and resettlement, return and reintegration activities. Beneficiaries of humanitarian assistance in key provinces are also being consulted during the preparation.

According to the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Erick de Mul, "The humanitarian situation in Angola requires a coordinated, system-wide emergency response. The Appeal process helps us to coordinate among partners, develop clear and realistic strategies and mobilise resources." This year, preparations have included workshops with Government authorities, UN Agencies, national and international NGOs, donors and partners in the provinces.

"Coordination is key and we count on all partners to participate in both the Appeal process and everyday coordination activities at the national and provincial level. We must coordinate to identify the critical problems and move quickly to solve them. It is not always easy because hundreds of partners participate, but we are committed to continued and expanded coordination under the leadership of the Government. It makes the whole operation more efficient and effective and helps us to focus on achieving our main goal-assisting the Angolan people as they return to their homes and resume their daily activities. The problems we are facing cannot be solved by any one of us alone. We must all cooperate and work together and the Government must share a greater part of the burden."

Humanitarian agencies originally appealed for US$ 233.7 million for 2002. In August, the Appeal was revised upwards to US$ 292.1 million to reflect the increase in the number of vulnerable people that could be reached following the 4 April Memorandum of Understanding. By the end of September, 49 percent of the revised Appeal had been funded, leaving a shortfall of more than US$148 million. Mr de Mul said: "We're doing as much as we can, but expansion requires resources. Removing mines, distributing food, vaccinating children against measles and other diseases, digging wells, providing emergency health care packages, training teachers, distributing seeds and tools-they all require money. We hope that donors will continue responding positively to the Appeal so the UN and NGOs can complement the efforts of the Government."

In addition to financial constraints, logistical constraints continue to present challenges to humanitarian partners. "We're still trying to overcome huge logistical constraints, but we have managed to transport food and other life-saving assistance to extremely isolated areas. Finding ways to deliver food when there are broken bridges between the food and the people who need it-well, that is the kind of challenge we are facing on a daily basis. Other constraints include the lack of implementing partners in remote areas and the enormous number of assessments that are needed before operations can be safely launched."

The 2003Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Angola will be launched in mid-November.

Information Unit

OCHA Angola
+244 2 444321, +244 2 448205
+244 91 500370, +244 92 403105