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Angola

Angola: Response Dashboard (as of December 2024)

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OVERVIEW

Southern Angola is experiencing the lingering effects of El Niño, with an estimated 2.2 million people requiring humanitarian assistance (SADC Regional Humanitarian Appeal, November 2024). A record mid-season dry spell of more than 50 days was reported, with some areas experiencing their lowest rainfall in late January to early March 2024 in at least 40 years. Delayed and below average rainfall affected crop production and resulted in high staple food prices.

The El Niño phenomenon impacted areas grappling with the effects of the most protracted drought in 40 years and recurrent poor harvests over the past 6 years. Over 1.58 million people were acutely food insecure (IPC 3+) in the provinces of Huila, Cunene and Namibe, according to the validated IPC figures of March 2022. The 2023/2024 El Niño affected an already vulnerable population. Acute food insecurity and malnutrition are likely to worsen, especially during the lean season (November 2024 - April 2025). This is exacerbated by low yields, inflation due to a weakened local currency, the removal of fuel subsidies in April 2024, and rising prices of staple food. The results of the latest IPC analysis are yet to be validated by the Government. However, assessments indicate an increase in the number of people affected by acute food insecurity.

The nutrition situation in Angola is precarious. Stunting prevalence is estimated at 43.6 per cent, affecting nearly 4 million children. Since the last quarter of 2024, in southern Angola, there has been a worrying increase in the number of children admitted for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) treatment.

About 1.2 million people face water scarcity because of the drought. According to UNICEF an estimate 80 per cent of existing water points and systems in southern Angola are not operational (2022), exposing affected communities to compromised water, sanitation and hygiene conditions.

Humanitarian partners continue to provide assistance to people in urgent need. By December 2024, some 559,000 people had received nutrition, food security, agriculture and livelihoods, health, protection as well as water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) assistance. Eleven partners, including five UN agencies, five international and one national NGOs are assisting the affected people. Funding is urgently required to scale-up the current response, as well as to provide the much-needed assistance to reach the affected people.

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