Published: 6 September 2002
After more than 27 years of conflict Angola is slowly starting to rebuild its civil society. To support the Angolan Red Cross (ARC) the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has today launched an appeal for nearly five million CHF to assist 100,000 beneficiaries for the next six months.
In total, nine provinces will benefit from this assistance. Most of the Angolan Red Cross' health posts were destroyed during the civil war and will be rehabilitated with the support from the Federation. Training of volunteers, HIV/AIDS awareness programmes, restocking of essential drugs and laboratory equipment as well as rehabilitation of clean water supply lines and sanitation are also part of this new assistance programme. It also includes distribution of agricultural tools and seeds as well as food and non-food relief.
"This emergency appeal is particularly targeting the most vulnerable, amongst them the internally displaced persons. But equally important is the support to the Angolan Red Cross - itself a victim of this long civil war," says Jean Ayoub, Federation Director of Operations.
"The Angolan Red Cross and the International Federation are coordinating all activities with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)," adds Jean Ayoub.
For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:
In Harare
Solveig Olafsdottir, Press Officer Tel: + 263 91 345 936
In Geneva :
Jette Soerensen, Press Officer Tel: + 41 22 730 44 28 / + 41 79 308 98 29
Duty phone Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81