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Secretary-General names new head of UN Angola office
4 August -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan has appointed Mussagy Jeichande of Mozambique as his Representative and Head of Office in Angola.

Mr. Jeichande will head an office that maintains liaison with political, military, civilian and police authorities to explore measures to restore peace and assist in humanitarian and human rights activities.

Meanwhile, the resources needed to provide for growing numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing continuous fighting in Angola are being stretched, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported today.

The displaced are moving to main urban centres, fleeing clashes between government troops and rebels of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). Some 46,000 people in Uige town -- 40 per cent of the population there -- are displaced. "This is causing tremendous pressure on already over-stretched resources and infrastructure," UNHCR spokesman Ron Redmond told reporters in Geneva.

The agency is delivering 9,000 blankets as well as 4,000 buckets to the affected population today. An additional 6,000 buckets will be brought in next week. UNHCR spokesperson Delphine Marie told the UN News Service that the buckets would enable the population to collect water safely. "In all the towns where the IDPs are gathered they have put tremendous pressure on the water systems," many of which are insufficient or have been destroyed.

A large portion of the displaced is staying in overcrowded warehouses or transit centres. The agency is working with the Angolan Government and other partners to assess possible sites to relocate those in need of shelter. "We are helping with site preparation, development, and the provision of basic facilities," Mr. Redmond said. He added that UNHCR is also holding discussions with the Angolan Government and a local non-governmental organization to re-establish a birth and death certificate registry in the country, which has been without one for the past 25 years of conflict.