SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN AT DETERIORATING HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN ANGOLA
Press Release
SG/SM/7020
AFR/147
SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN AT DETERIORATING HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN ANGOLA
19990607 The following statement was issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:The Secretary-General expressed deep concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Angola where the extremely precarious security situation now requires the distribution of most humanitarian aid by air, an effort threatened by lack of funding. If funds are not immediately made available for air transportation, the entire humanitarian effort will stop and hundreds of thousands of Angolans will face severe malnutrition, disease and death.
The Secretary-General appeals for the cooperation of the Government of Angola and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) to allow for access to all those in need of assistance, and to the international donor community, to urgently support humanitarian activities in Angola to avoid a massive human tragedy. He also appeals to both parties to end the conflict, and to take necessary steps to safeguard the lives of the civilian population and of the dedicated humanitarian workers who are doing their utmost to assist Angolans in need.
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