Angola - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 1

Ref: OCHA/GVA-2001/0090
OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Angola - Floods
27 April 2001

In cash contribution to the UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for 2001 is urgently needed. (The full appeal is available at the OCHA Internet Website: http://www.reliefweb.int)

This report is based on information received from OCHA Office in Angola.

Situation

1. Heavy rains and flooding during the past several weeks have been further aggravating living conditions for many Angolans whose lives have been already devastated by a civil war. The flooding caused extensive damage in southern Angola, particularly in the provinces of Benguela, Cunene, Huila and Namibe. Bridges over the Beiro and Giraul rivers in Namibe province have collapsed and railroad connections between the Port of Namibe and Huila province are cut, severely impacting the transport of humanitarian assistance. Large numbers of internally displaced persons and residents are in urgent need of shelter, food and basic non-food items. Inundated agricultural areas threaten to increase food insecurity. Flooding is likely to create greater risk of contagious water-borne diseases, malaria and diarrhoea. The media reported that at least 48 people, including 18 in the capital Luanda and 20 in Namibe province, have lost their lives due to the floods, quoting the Government's figures.

2. Benguela Province: The Municipalities of Lobito, Benguela and Baia Farta have been affected. According to the Government reports, more than 17,400 people may be without shelter. The situation in the commune of Dombe Grande is of concern. Flooding of the Rio Coporolo has obstructed road access to the areas of Canto, Senje and Luacho since early April, hindering the delivery of humanitarian assistance. On 11 April, an inter-agency team composed of the administrator of Baia Farta and representatives of WFP, UNICEF, the Technical Unit for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (UTCAH), OCHA, Save the Children UK, and ADRA-Angola visited Dombe Grande and reported large areas of immersed agricultural land, a broken dam, and at least 450 families in need of emergency relief items, including food. After the consultation of local provincial authorities, the mission determined that the Government helicopters are needed for rapid assessments of the isolated communities and for delivery of food and non-food items.

3. Huila Province: Restricted access within and between the Provinces of Huila, Cunene and Namibe is a matter of concern. Large numbers of access routes are inundated and at least two bridges have been destroyed. Huila province is facing a critical fuel shortage. Distribution of food and non-food items may delay due to the lack of access to the areas.

4. Namibe Province: Extensive damage has occurred in the city of Namibe (para.1 above). Under the leadership of UTCAH, an inter-agency mission of UN agencies and NGOs assessed humanitarian conditions in Namibe city on 13 April. The team found that thousands of people had been newly displaced and required emergency shelter. The team also identified the increased risk of diarrhoea and malaria due to the lack of safe drinking water and poor sanitation to be addressed. The Government and humanitarian partners are implementing a plan of action that includes registration of 22,528 flood-affected people (4,352 families) by UTCAH and WFP from 16 to 18 April.

National Assistance

5. Assessments have been also conducted by Government Ministers and representatives in numerous areas. Additional technical assessments are scheduled for worst affected regions in coming days. On 19 April, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Rural Development (MINARS) convened a meeting with the Government representatives, UN agencies, and NGOs to assess emergency response capacity in flood affected areas. On 20 April, an inter-ministerial committee on floods met to discuss additional actions by the Government. The Government made available 20,000 zinc sheets for the affected population in Benguela province and Namibe province separately (10,000 each). For Namibe province, the Government has also sent metal bridges to the area for immediate installation and has deployed a small ferry to assist river crossings.

International Assistance

6. Under the leadership of UTCAH, agencies have conducted two joint assessment missions in Benguela province and Namibe province and drafted emergency action plans for immediate implementation (para.2 and 4 above). Implementation of most activities for Benguela province depends on security conditions. WFP has sufficient food stocks and is prepared to intervene at short notice, once security conditions become appropriate. In Namibe province, WFP began food distributions on 20 April and other agencies will dispatch emergency kits and plastic sheeting in coordination with local authorities.

7. Rapid response interventions are currently being conducted within the context of the UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for 2001. Financial support for programmes outlined in the Appeal is urgently required to address the needs created by the floods. Following first quarter adjustments, the 2001 Appeal totals USD 236,768,783, including approximately USD 210 million for UN agencies and USD 26 million for NGOs. By the end of March, contributions and pledges had been received for only 15% of original requirements. In cash contribution to the UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for 2001 is urgently needed.

8. Within the context of the Appeal, OCHA is also prepared to serve as channel for cash contributions to be used for immediate relief assistance, in co-ordination/consultation with relevant organisations in the United Nations system. Funds should be transferred to OCHA account no. CO-590.160.0, Swift code: UBSWCHZ12A at the UBS AG, P.O. Box 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, with reference: "OCHA - Angola- floods 2001". OCHA provides donors with written confirmation and pertinent details concerning the utilisation of the funds contributed.

9. Information on contributions to the Appeal may be found by clicking on Financial Tracking at the top of the page for Angola, under the heading of complex emergencies on the OCHA Internet Website (http://www.reliefweb.int). Information on contribution to the disaster may be found by clicking on Financial Tracking at the top of the page for Angola, under the heading of natural disasters at the same Website. Donors are requested to verify this table and inform OCHA Geneva of corrections/additions/values. Donors are encouraged to notify OCHA Geneva of their contributions to this Appeal using the OCHA Standardized Contributions Recording Format, available electronically in the above mentioned Financial Tracking Website.

10. This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies are also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int

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In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Focal Points (OCHA Response Coordination Branch):
Mr. J. Boutroue (Chief, Africa I and the Middle East)
Ms. Y. Sawada (Desk Officer)
direct Tel. +41 22 917 1438/1768

Press contact: Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53