LUANDA, Jun 1, 2001 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- The humanitarian situation in Angola, particularly in the central highland city of Kuito, is very "precarious", a senior official with the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) said here on Friday.
Vice director of UNICEF Emergency Program Davida Bassiouni, who heads a UNICEF delegation visiting Angola, said that it is urgent for the Angolan government, the international agencies and non-governmental organizations to redouble their efforts to save thousands of human lives.
Bassiouni has visited the central highland city of Kuito in the fiercely destroyed Bie province with an aim to evaluate the local humanitarian situation and outline plans for its improvement.
He said that a lot has been done in improving the living conditions for the people in need, but it is still necessary to do more for bettering the malnutrition situation of the population.
The vice director noted that his institution has sent fundamental victuals for Kuito, but warning that they are insufficient because of the very grave malnutrition in that city.
According to Bassiouni, the UNICEF is currently providing the displaced persons in Kuito with health service, vaccination, water and education.
Jose Martins, an official from the Angolan Ministry of Social Assistance and Reintegration responsible for humanitarian aid, said that the visit paid by the UNICEF delegation is opportune, because its members have felt the true humanitarian situation in Angola.
During the week-long visit, the UNICEF delegation has discussed with Angolan officials issues on the protection of the humanitarian aid, the enlargement of the areas accessible to the aid and professional training.
Copyright 2001 XINHUA NEWS AGENCY
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Received by NewsEdge Insight: 06/01/2001 05:09:31