MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Australia is to provide $2 million for relief and rehabilitation activities
in Angola, much of it channelled through Australian Non Government Organisations
working to rid Angola of landmines and rehabilitate landmine victims.
After 30 years of war the humanitarian problems facing Angola are enormous.
The physical infrastructure is in collapse and there is massive social
dislocation. The number of Angolans inside the country requiring emergency
assistance is estimated at 2.2 million. This includes internally displaced
people as well as demobilised soldiers and their families.
The existence of an estimated 10 million landmines, and unexploded ordinance
also pose enormous problems for Angola. Australia's contribution will go to:
World Vision Australia - Mine Awareness Program: $585 000.
This project will teach people about the dangers of landmines and record the
location of mine sites.AUSTCARE - Mine Dog Detection Capacity: $425 000. This project aims
to increase landmine detection, verification and clearance by training mine
detecting dogs.AUSTCARE - Production of Prosthetic Feet: $325 000. An estimated 70
000 people in Angola have suffered amputation of arms or legs as a result of
landmines. This projct will fund the local production of prosthetic feet
enabling thousands of landmine victims to walk again.Medicins Sans Frontieres - Health Care: $267 400. This project will
improve the health of refugees, returnees and internally displaced people
through better health care, including increased vaccination among children
under five and women of childbearing age and a tuberculosis program.United Nations Appeal for Angola: $400 000. A UN humanitarian appeal
for Angola was launched in Luanda in 25 March 1997.
I am particularly pleased that Australia is able to contribute in so many
positive ways to addressing the human suffering caused by the landmine problem
in Angola. Australian aid is helping civilians become more aware of landmines,
improving the rate of landmine clearance and helping improve the lives of those
who have been injured by landmines.
Media contact:
Peter Collins (Mr Downer's Office) 06 277 7500/0411 414 695 Andrea McLaughlin
(AusAID) 06 206 4966