Angola: UN agencies set to assess aid needs in previously inaccessible areas

United Nations and other relief agencies, along with the Angolan Government, are set to begin assessing the humanitarian conditions in areas of the country that have been inaccessible for years.

According to the Angolan branch of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which is overseeing the assessment, the areas to be surveyed are those that have been without humanitarian assistance for a prolonged period of time because of insecurity or logistical constraints.

With the possible exception of churches and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), there has been no humanitarian presence in these areas, where an estimated 500,000 to 550,000 persons reside, OCHA said. UN humanitarian agencies are already helping about 1 million people throughout the country.

Among the UN agencies participating in the survey are the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

A final report, which is expected towards the end of May, will be also used to prioritize emergency interventions in these areas and determine the roles and responsibilities of the Government, UN agencies and NGOs, OCHA said.