EU humanitarian aid for Angola

The European Commission has adopted a new global plan covering 2002 to provide continuing humanitarian support for victims of the war in Angola. €8 million will be channelled by the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) through partner organisations and international agencies operating in the country

Angola has been affected by conflict for more than thirty years. In December 1998, four years after the signature of the Lusaka peace agreements, hostilities resumed leading to a serious worsening in the humanitarian situation of the population. Last year, the intensification of the conflict created an unexpected increase of population displacements and restricted resettlement and return. Although there were some positive expectations for 2001, overall the humanitarian situation has deteriorated. Access to vulnerable groups and security are still major constraints for the humanitarian relief community. The donor community and the European Commission requests warring parties to create conditions for the establishment of "humanitarian corridors" in areas they control. This will give access to populations at risk and reduce the costs of humanitarian operations undertaken. Without real progress being made on this specific aspect, aid agencies and NGOs operating in the country will not be able to target their assistance more efficiently. It is estimated that as many as 500,000 inaccessible people require basic assistance, including food aid, shelter, medicines and other items essential for their survival.

The Commission, through its Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), will support humanitarian programmes in fields of health, nutrition, water/sanitation, emergency relief, protection and air transport, working through various international organizations and NGOs. Key objectives are mainly to improve the health conditions of vulnerable populations and to ensure access, co-ordination and supply of goods to humanitarian operations financed in the region.

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• EU financial support for Angola peace process (29/5/2002)
• EU Presidency Statement - The situation in Angola (15/11/2001)
• EU humanitarian aid for Angola (29/3/2001)
• EU Presidency Statement - The situation in Angola (22/2/2001)
• EU Presidency Statement - The situation in Angola (27/7/2000)