Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
3 October 2001
The South African Embassy in Luanda, through an Angolan NGO, participated in the distribution of relief goods to refugee camps in the province of Luanda on Tuesday, 2nd October 2001.
In addition to Luanda, goods are also in the process of being airlifted to the northern Angolan provinces of Zaire and Uige for distribution among Internally Displaced Persons living in those areas.
The South African assistance resulted from a 1999 decision by Cabinet to assist the people of Angola. In terms of that decision, the Minister of Social Development was tasked to co-ordinate an appeal to the public for donations to assist the relief effort. The Department of Social Development received private financial and in-kind contributions from the personnel in a number of government Departments, amongst whom most prominently the Department of Transport, and personnel in a number of departments in North West Province. Contributions in cash or in kind were also received from, amongst others, the Kagiso Trust, the South African Muslim Aid Agency, Spoornet, Delmas Shipping Lines and various other South African organisations and members of the public.
In addition to the provision of clothing and food, an amount of R230 000 (two hundred and thirty thousand rand only) was collected and donated to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for use in its programmes for Internally Displaced Persons in Angola.
Appreciation is herewith extended to the UNHCR and African Humanitarian Action (AHA) for the invaluable logistical support and co-operation they provided in ensuring the delivery of the consignment and the success of the operation.
This contribution to Angola is testimony to the importance that the people of South Africa attach to the well-being of the people of Angola and to the long-standing commitment by the South African Government to Angola and the region.
For further information, contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853