Angola: ICRC resumes relief work in Huambo

13 January 1999
ICRC News 99/02

ICRC staff distributed essential relief supplies in Huambo’s Munda neighbourhood on 7 January. Tarpaulins, blankets, soap, cooking utensils and pails donated by UNICEF were provided for 426 displaced families (totalling 2,595 people) who had fled to the town in the previous three weeks.

A similar distribution will be carried out on 13 January to 2,400 families (around 12,000 people) in the Benfica neighbourhood.

Since 5 January the ICRC has been delivering several thousand litres of drinking water daily to supplement mains supplies for around 20,000 people living in the SJoseighbourhood, which has seen a sizeable influx of displaced people.

Basic medicines and bandages have also been delivered to the main hospital in Huambo, which has remained open since the start of recent events.

The ICRC is strengthening its operational capacity in the area. Additional delegates have been deployed and two special flights were chartered from Nairobi on 8 and 9 January to replenish stocks.

The ICRC is preparing to send a survey team to Kuito in the next few days. If conditions allow, delegates will also visit other conflict zones.