DATE=11/16/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ANGOLA RELIEF WORK (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256246
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A United Nations official who recently
returned from Angola says progress is being made in
providing relief services there but that the need for
help is great and is expected to grow. V-O-A
Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United
Nations.
TEXT: Agnes Asekenye-Oonyu, a U-N humanitarian
affairs official, says that despite recent military
victories by the government, Angola is still a nation
at war. She says about one-third of Angola's 12-
million people have been directly affected by the war
and about one- point-seven million people have been
displaced as a result of the fighting.
Ms. Asekenye-Oonyu told reporters she was profoundly
moved by what she saw at several feeding stations she
visited in Angola.
/// Asekenye-Oonyu Act ///
The sight of these people was extremely
disturbing. I saw severely malnourished
children and adults as well. What disturbed me
most was to look at people who had believed they
were competent to take care of their children
and themselves and yet, because of the war, they
were unable to do that.
/// End Act ///
On the positive side, Ms. Asekenye-Oonyu says the
Angolan government has improved the security situation
at relief stations. However, she says land mines
continue to endanger both relief workers and
civilians.
She says relief agencies have been working with the
Angolan government to provide farmland for some
displaced people, but that the need for massive
external food assistance will continue through next
year.
Ms. Asekenye-Oonyu says the Angolan government has not
prohibited U-N relief officials from contacts with the
UNITA rebels, but that so far, the relief workers have
been unable to make such contacts.(Signed)
NEB/UN/BA/LSF/JP
16-Nov-1999 17:20 PM EDT (16-Nov-1999 2220 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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