UN and singer Pavarotti join voices to help Angolan refugees

More than 25,000 Angolan refugees living across the Zambezi River in western Zambia were today assured of a steady flow of assistance during the rainy season when the United Nations refugee agency handed over a ferry donated by world famous opera star Luciano Pavarotti to the Zambian Government.

The new ferry, which can carry up to 63 tons and is valued at $210,000, was donated by Mr. Pavarotti from the proceeds of his 2002 charity concert for Angolan refugee children. It is named after his father, Fernando, who died a few days before the 27 May concert.

Until now there has been only one ferry to carry supplies to the camp’s 26,000 refugees and their host community between December and April, when the Zambezi floods the plains. These supplies would stop if the ferry broke down.

“We are very happy to see this handover take off,” the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative in Zambia, Ahmed Gubartalla, said at the hand-over ceremony at the Kalongola crossing point. “It is a great example of how talent can be put to good use for the benefit of the less fortunate in the world. The humanitarian dimension in Maestro Pavarotti’s work is of great support to the refugees. We are hopeful that the gesture will inspire other non-traditional donors to do the same.”