Humanitarian situation in Angola: Reporting period 05 -11 Jun 2000

Highlights

• Technical Working Group formed to coordinate humanitarian assistance
• Humanitarian partners discuss minimum operational standards for resettlement
• Food distribution targeting and registration mission completes field activities
• Nation-wide campaign against polio underway

General Humanitarian Situation and Assistance

Technical Working Group for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance

The Technical Working Group for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (TWG) met for the first time on 8 June. Composed of high-level technical representatives from the Government, UN Agencies, donors, national and international NGOs and sub-groups of the NHCG, the TWG has been formed to analyze, discuss and offer technical recommendations to the National Humanitarian Coordination Group (NHCG) and the Inter-Ministerial Commission for the Humanitarian Situation regarding operating procedures for humanitarian assistance programs. The TWG is scheduled to meet every two weeks under the chairmanship of MINARS.

Humanitarian Partners Discuss Minimum Operational Standards

During the discussion that followed the presentation of the results of the Rapid Assessment of Critical Needs at the NHCG, the Government of Angola, UN Agencies and international organizations agreed on the need to define minimum operational standards for resettlement. A draft of the proposed minimum operational standards will be reviewed by the NHCG at the next monthly meeting.

Food Distribution Targeting Mission Completes Field Activities

A joint UN/NGO food distribution targeting mission completed its field activities and will present its findings and recommendations to the humanitarian community during a workshop on 15 June. The mission is assessing criteria used to determine eligibility for food assistance, the duration and type of food aid required, and the means used to distribute food items across the country.

Nation-wide Polio Vaccination Campaign Underway

On 10 and 11 June, the Ministry of Health, WHO and UNICEF conducted the first phase of a three-stage polio vaccination campaign scheduled to last until August. Approximately 600 persons participated in the mobilization campaign, which is targeting over 3 million children less than five years of age in 164 districts. According to UNICEF, 20 per cent of the target population is inaccessible due to security factors. The campaign is funded by USAID, DFID, De Beers and Rotary International.

Bengo Province: According to MINARS, IDPs from the eastern part of the Province continue to arrive in Luanda. UTCAH reported that IDPs from Bengo currently living in Luanda are willing to return to their areas of origin once reinstallation programs begin.

In Caxito, German Agro Action (AAA) distributed WFP food items to approximately 25,000 IDPs in Cambambe II camp. The May distribution included smaller rations than in previous months. Due to lack of funds, COSV will conclude its activities in Cambambe II camp at the end of June but will continue to monitor operations in the Cambambe hospital until August. MINARS and the Ministry of Health will oversee the nutrition center.

Huambo Province: Representatives of the European Union conducted an assessment mission in Huambo on 8 June in order to evaluate current programs. The mission met with partner NGOs to discuss future Euronaid projects in the Province.

On 9 and 10 June, a joint mission comprised of representatives from MINARS and UN Agencies visited the proposed resettlement sites outside of Caala. Based on recommendations made in the Report on the Rapid Assessment of Critical Needs, the Government of Angola and UN Agencies are working together to develop a resettlement policy to relocate families currently residing in 13 transit centers in Caala.

Huila Province: During the first week of June, new population movements of approximately 400 persons were reported from Chicotengue, Calera and Chihana into Vissaka and Km 9. In Matala, NRC is overseeing the construction of houses for more than 100 recently arrived IDPs from Chicomba. While houses are under construction, IDPs are accommodated in a transit center for a period of no more than two weeks.

A joint mission comprised of representatives from MINARS, MINADER, Ministry of Education, UTCAH, UN Agencies and local NGOs visited the Capunda Cavilongo resettlement site in Chibia municipality. The mission noted that of all resettlement areas in the Province, Capunda Cavilongo has the worst sanitary conditions, with poor water quality and limited access to latrines. The health post is without basic equipment. In the last two months, seven cases of TB were reported in the area. OIKOS and MINARS provided information regarding resettlement areas in Quipungo municipality, including Malipi, Bember and Chivota. In all sites, health posts either do not exist or are poorly equipped and there are no latrines. DRA recently constructed two wells in Malipi. In Bember and Chivota, the local river is the only source of water.

During the second week of June, representatives from the Provincial Government, MINARS, WFP, OCHA and Caritas met to discuss food distribution strategies in Caconda and Caluquembe. Participants stressed the importance of developing effective registration and reporting systems. On 5 June, OCHA facilitated a meeting to plan an agriculture campaign for the year 2000 in collaboration with MINADER. ICRC will purchase over 350 MTs of seeds to distribute to IDP populations within the Province. MOLISV and NF will distribute agricultural items among residents.

Moxico Province: On 5 June, a high level mission including the Minister of Social Affairs and Reintegration and the UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator visited Luena to assess humanitarian conditions and discuss resettlement plans, paying particular attention to Sangondo II camp. During the mission, NGOs expressed concern regarding the reduction in WFP food distributions. From July onward, WFP beneficiaries will be reduced to 11,000 (from 74,000 in May). The decrease is based on the recent FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment, which indicated increased harvest yields after May. Local agencies report, however, that food stocks are expensive and in short supply and malnutrition rates increased in May.

The new OCHA Field Adviser arrived in Luena during the first week of June. Following a series of field assessments and meetings with humanitarian partners, the Field Adviser reported that approximately 75,000 IDPs are living in six IDP camps throughout the Province. There is a lack of information regarding IDPs in Moxico, including basic data such as age, arrival date and area of origin. It is recommended that coordination mechanisms be strengthened to effectively address the needs of vulnerable populations throughout the Province. During the first two weeks of June, 146 IDPs arrived in Sangondo II camp. The region of origin of the recently arrived IDPs has not been determined.

Uíge Province: The Uíge airstrip may be temporarily closed for repairs beginning 15 June. The repairs should be completed in seven to 12 days. Approximately 900-950 m of the airstrip will remain untouched during the repair process, allowing landing space for emergency air operations.

Zaire Province: During the reporting period, MINARS indicated that IDPs currently living in N=B4Zolani camp near M=B4Banza Congo will be moved to an area located six km from the town. The population will be transferred from the UNHCR/GTZ transit center, which will be transformed into housing for Government officials. The Provincial Government plans to relocate IDPs presently living in M=B4Banza Machine camp to the new camp site, which is located two km south-east of M=B4Banza Congo and one km away from a military garrison.

Security

Bengo Province: On 8 June, two trucks were attacked near Baraka, resulting in an unknown number of casualties.

Bié Province: The road between Kuito, Andulo and N=B4Harea is reportedly insecure.

Huila Province: On 3 June, the village of Chiquelo (15 km from Matala) was attacked resulting in two deaths and an unspecified number of wounded persons. An attack was reported north of Caconda on 5 June. No further information is available. Insecurity is reported in the areas around Micosse and Dongo.

Malanje Province: A mine incident was reported on 9 June on the road between Malanje and Cangandala resulting in two deaths and a number of injured persons.

Moxico Province: On 4 June, shooting occurred in Enama IDP camp causing some IDPs to flee. At least one person was killed and another injured.

Uíge Province: The road between Uíge and Negage remains closed for UN personnel.

NA=C7=D5ES UNIDAS ESCRITÓRIO PARA A COORDENA=C7=C3O DOS ASSUNTOS HUMANITÁRIOS (OCHA )
Fax local: (244-2) 442710
Email: ucah@compuserve.com

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)
Telefone: (244-2) 444321/ 448205/ 441072
Av. Comandante Valódia 206-5o. Andar
Luanda - Angola