Central African Republic: UN agencies rally to help displaced; Annan envoy leaves for Bangui

United Nations humanitarian agencies are rallying to help the tens of thousands of people displaced by the violence related to last month's attempted coup d'état in the Central African Republic.

A UN spokesman said today in New York that planning within the UN family was under way to assist between some 80,000 to100,000 people who have been displaced or who are now homeless as a result of the violence.

A UN flight carrying 30 tonnes of health and water supply equipment is scheduled to arrive today from Kinshasa, while more flights from other locations in the region and in Europe are expected in the coming days, the spokesman said. The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) is the lead humanitarian agency responding to the needs of the population in the aftermath of the attempted coup.

On the political front, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy, General Amadou Toumani Touré of Mali, left Libreville, Gabon, today on his way to the capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui. Before leaving Libreville, General Touré met with Gabon's Foreign Minister, Jean Peng.

General Touré's trip comes in response to the ongoing violence in the Central African Republic as part of Mr. Annan's continued involvement from UN Headquarters in seeking a solution to the current situation.

The envoy will hold discussions aimed at ending the reported fighting in parts of Bangui between forces loyal to the Government and the rebels, and restoring peaceful political dialogue within the framework of respect for the country's democratic institutions.