Humanitarian situation in Angola: Reporting period 09 - 15 Oct 2000

Highlights

• Joint assessment mission visits Bailundo in Huambo Province
• 16 new meningitis cases reported in Menongue, causing deaths of two children
• Sharp fall reported in rates of malnutrition in bairros around Uige city
• Measles vaccination program carried out at Camambe II IDP area in Bengo

General Humanitarian Situation and Assistance

Bengo Province: The German Agricultural Action (AAA) started distributing food to 25,000 IDPs in Cambambe II camp. The German Government is donating the supplies for the distribution during the next three months. On 14 and 15 October, a measles vaccination campaign was conducted for the IDP children in Cambambe II camp after it was reported that approximately 20 children under five years of age had contracted the disease.

The plan for resettlement in the localities of Pango Aluquem and Bula Atumba was postponed until further security conditions are established.

Benguela Province: According to reports from local authorities, the humanitarian situation is deteriorating in the communes of Chila, Cubal do Lombo and Passe as a result of people returning to their villages after the extension of State Administration.

On 12 October, a joint mission composed of UN Agencies, NGOs and Government representatives visited the Senje and Mohaningo IDP camps to assess conditions. The mission concluded that the IDPs required support from the provincial authorities in the form of land and irrigation equipment, enabling them to become self-sufficient.

The humanitarian community assessed the health conditions of the resident population in accessible areas in the province, and concluded that the lack of an adequate health structure is adversely affecting their general health, particularly among the most vulnerable groups. The situation was likely to worsen with the rainy season, with an increased risk of malaria, diarrhea and other diseases.

From 9-11 October, a joint mission composed of WFP and the Ministry of Education visited Benguela and Lobito to assess the possibility of implementing a School Feeding Programme.

Cuando Cubango Province: Between 7-16 October, 16 cases of meningitis were reported. Two of the cases resulted in the deaths of two children.

A joint meeting between WFP, MINARS, OCHA and INTERSOS agreed that newly-arrived IDPs in Menongue will go directly to a recently-opened reception centre that is part of a new transit centre which is under construction. On 14 October, 62 IDPs who were in the Centro de Acolhemento were transferred to the reception centre.

Huambo Province: On 14 October, a joint assessment mission composed of WFP, UNICEF, OCHA, ECHO, IMC, Molisv, DW, ADPP and AMI visited Bailundo. The mission reported that air access might be hampered in the rainy season because the airstrip is made of compacted sand. IDPs will be resettled at a site located two km north east of Bailundo, where the construction of houses has begun.

The mission reported that the health and nutrition situation in Bailundo was not critical. The hospital was clean, and well-equipped with mattresses and blankets, although the mission noted a lack of materials for minor surgery and an irregular supply of drugs. The mission also reported that the Catholic Mission=B4s health centre has limited equipment. A total of 25 malnourished children are being assisted in the hospital, most of them suffering from kwashiorkor. IDP and resident families are affected equally.

The mission reported that the eastern part of Bailundo has constant running water and that the western half has running water for several hours a day. The town has no central sewage system.

A joint nutritional survey was conducted MSF, CONCERN and SCF in the Caliamamo IDP camp. SCF calculated the malnutrition rate at 10 per cent. SCF will begin a nutritional programme at the camp using a mobile unit.

According to the local administration, new IDPs have begun arriving in Caala, although their numbers and origin are not yet verified.

Luanda Province: On 11 October, a joint team composed of OCHA, CIES, FTC and SCAM visited Camama camp at Kiamba Kiaxi where 3,199 IDPs are located. FTC will provide a water tank until a connection can be made to the main water pipe located five km away.

Malanje Province: A total of 557 persons have reportedly entered Malanje city as a result of increased insecurity. IDPs are also reportedly arriving in Luquembo and Mussende.

Uíge Province: The road between Uige and Negage continues to be closed for humanitarian use. The onset of the rainy season has increased the risk of hidden landmines in water-filled potholes. Lack of access continues to be a severe impediment to the provision of humanitarian assistance. On 11 October, a nutritional survey in the bairros surrounding Uige was begun by MSF-E. The initial data indicated that malnutrition has fallen dramatically, particularly among the resident population.

Between 9-15 October, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) distributed maize, beans and groundnuts, as well as hoes and machetes to 200 families from Sanza Pombe.

Security

Bengo Province: No security incidents were reported during the period. The road to Kwanza Norte is reported as insecure.

Benguela Province: The situation remained calm within the security perimeters of the municipal capitals. However, the northern part of Bocoio and Balombo municipalities near the border with Kwanza Sul has experienced a sharp increase in tension due to armed clashes.

Bié Province: On 14 October, the village of Samande in the N=B4harea/Gamba area was attacked by an armed group, resulting in the killing of the soba.

Cuando Cubango Province: The situation in the province was reported as calm, but large areas of the province remain unstable and liable to attack, especially to the north and east of Menongue.

Malanje Province: On 10 October, an armed group attacked Cangandala, resulting in nine deaths.

Uige Province: On 10 October, an armed group entered the village of Uamba, east of Sanza Pombo, and abducted 70 persons. On 14 October, a truck traveling from Vista Alegre to Uige was attacked, resulting in two deaths.

OCHA - Angola
Prepared by the Information Unit

This publication is also available on Relief Web: http://www.reliefweb.int

NA=C7=D5ES UNIDAS ESCRITÓRIO PARA A COORDENA=C7=C3O D0S ASSUNTOS HUMANITÁRIOS ( OCHA )
Fax Local: (244-2-442710)
E-Mail: ucah@compuserve.com
Telefone: (244-2) 444321/448205/441072
Av.Comandante Valódia, 206 - 5o. Andar
Luanda - Angola