Dissemination

A project aimed at introducing a permanent programme to raise awareness of international humanitarian law in the training academies of the Angolan armed forces started with 11 seminars on the law of war for government army officers.

The ICRC also gave briefings to arriving UNAVEM III military and police observers and held dissemination sessions for each of the six UN peace-keeping battalions.

Press trips were organized for Angolan and foreign journalists and TV crews to cover ICRC and Angola Red Cross/Federation activities. Special programmes were broadcast all year round on national radio and television and on commercial radio stations, and numerous articles appeared in the press. A special effort was made to publicize the anti-personnel mines issue and the ICRC’s efforts to have them banned.

Various types of dissemination activity were organized for the general population. Four cultural groups in Huambo province, consisting of up to 25 traditional dancers and singers, performed in both Portuguese and the local Umbundu language. They were present during relief distributions to help explain the role of the ICRC and the importance of solidarity and self-sufficiency in agriculture.