/ 17 October 2001

USAID FOR RESETTLING UNITA SOLDIERS

USaid is granting Angola an estimated $1,5-million next year for the resettlement of the demobilised Unita rebel soldiers, news reports said. The national news agency (ANGOP), said on Sunday that the programme would benefit some 300 families of soldiers demobilised under the Bicesse and Lusaka peace accords, who are based in the Huila, Huambo, Benguela and Bengo Provinces. The Angolan National Institute for Social Re-integration (IRSEM), was quoted as saying that the USaid intervention is in support of the Luanda government’s scheme for the ex-combatants. It said the ultimate objective of the programme is to fight poverty among the ex-soldiers. – Irin