Highlights:
- The security situation remains precarious with the continued influx of displaced persons towards provincial and municipal capitals.
- The first round of the National Immunization Days (NIDs) against polio was successfully carried out in all 18 provinces: over 3.5 million children were vaccinated.
- UNICEF supported measles vaccination campaigns in Camacupa and Catabola (Bie Province) to help control possible epidemics among newly displaced children.
- 120,000 primary school-age children benefited from educational material provided by UNICEF in 8 provinces.
A - Health and Nutrition
Polio Eradication
The first round of the National Immunization Days (NIDs) against polio was conducted from 6-10 July in all 18 provinces across the country. Preliminary results provided by the Ministry of Health indicate that 3,657,219 children under the age of five were vaccinated in 143 municipalities (out of 164). Since under-5 children should represent 1/5 of the population of Angola, the immunization figures from the first NID would appear to be higher than the actual children under-5 covered. This could be explained by some children being vaccinated more than once and by some children 5 years or older being vaccinated. During the next NID in August, a coverage survey will give a more accurate picture of this phenomenon. In comparison to last year, accessibility improved and new areas that had not been previously vaccinated were reached. Improved accessibility was due to FAA and police involvement through the provision of logistical and security support in many areas. At the communal level, however, accessibility remains limited in many provinces (see provincial section below).
Improved accessibility was also due to a synchronisation strategy developed with neighbouring countries that are also conducting NIDs. For example, 3 localities in Cabinda Province were reached directly from DRC. In Uige Province, Congolese vaccination teams crossed the borders from the DRC to reach Beu, Kuilu Futa and Sakandika communes, places that had not been accessed in any of the three previous rounds of the 2000 NIDs. In Moxico Province, the Luau municipality was reached by both national vaccination teams and teams from the neighbouring DRC. Teams of Angolan vaccinators also supported immunization activities in the DRC, entering the latter via Lunda Norte and Cabinda provinces. In the second round of NIDs, scheduled for early August, it is hoped that the southern parts of Kuando Kubango Province will be entered via Namibia to reach children in Cuangar, Calai and Dirico municipalities that remain inaccessible from the Angolan side. The synchronisation exercise was facilitated by the extensive use of maps developed by UNICEF to monitor accessibility at communal level.
Immunization activities were conducted through the network of mobile teams that conducted house to house visits, fixed vaccination posts and mobile teams in areas of concentration such as markets and churches. The house to house campaigns improved greatly compared to last year. NIDs quality indicators were also defined and quality monitoring surveys were conducted in Luanda, Benguela and Huambo provinces. In Luanda, the survey indicates that over 90% of houses were reached during the first round.
The successful implementation of the first round was also the result of good interagency co-ordination through the Interagency Co-ordination Committee (ICC), which includes the Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, Rotary, USAID and Core. Other partners involved are DFID, Norwegian Cooperation, Netherlands Cooperation, Portuguese Cooperation, Odebrecht and CDC. To further improve both the quality and the operationalization of the NIDs, UNICEF believes that NGOs should be involved in the decision-making process.
Another factor that contributed to a better coverage were the improved media-based communication initiatives targeting specific groups particularly through the creation of the polio eradication mascot Estrelinha Cuya and special polio advocates As Gingas, football star Man-Torras, basketball player Miguel Lutondo and Miss Angola 2001. Popular theatre and community groups, at large public events such as soccer games and music shows, also used the polio mascot. About 5,000 Scouts linked to the Catholic Church also actively promoted vaccination by visiting houses and popular places like markets.
The main challenge to eradicate polio remains the lack of access to children living in areas out of government control. Given the large influx of new IDPs coming from areas where children are not vaccinated, it is critical to ensure their rapid immunization as soon as they reach accessible areas. It is importance to reinforce the routine immunization system to ensure the continuous vaccination of these children.
UNICEF provided all vaccines used during the campaigns. This year, UNICEF has already provided 14 million doses of Oral Polio Vaccines to the health authorities for both routine and campaign activities. Since January, a total of 32 samples from Acute Flaccid Paralysis cases were collected and sent to a reference laboratory in South Africa. No wild poliovirus was isolated from those samples, while 10 results are still pending.
Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI)
The evaluation of the ECHO-supported Measles Emergency Vaccination Campaign through UNICEF was finalized and released. Findings show that from 1996-2000, a total of 1,664,809 children under five, who are at high risk, were vaccinated in 46 municipalities in 14 provinces. This represents 81% of the original target population. Specific targets included newly arrived children in IDP camps and children living in poor neighbourhoods of cities.
A review of the routine immunization system in Angola was conducted, indicating that besides the lamentable state of the infrastructure, understaffing and lack of cold chain for health facilities, another cause for the low routine coverage was the extremely high level of missed opportunities. It is estimated that over 95% of children attending health facilities for purposes other than vaccination are not checked on their vaccination status, consequently missing the opportunity of receiving vaccination. Weak planning and managerial mechanisms, including deficiencies on setting reliable goals and a lack of monitoring tools, were also identified as serious constraints in improving routine immunization coverage. To support routine immunization activities, UNICEF provided the national EPI with 1.4 million doses of measles vaccine in July.
Maternal Mortality Reduction
A half-year review of partners’ activities to reduce maternal mortality rates in Luanda Province was undertaken together with NGOs and other UN agencies. The review indicated that despite the prevailing status quo on hospital maternal deaths figures at provincial level, the number of delivery complications successfully attended increased in the UNICEF-supported pilot project at the Kilamba-Kiaxi Maternity Hospital.
UNICEF supported a survey on the screening of Community Birth Attendants (CBAs) working in the Maxinde Maternal Health Centre in Malanje, with the participation of 30 interviewers and supervisors from the Provincial Health Directorate along with GVC and IMC. Most CBAs will be trained to support and provide follow-up services to pregnant women within the Centre. It is believed that this approach will improve the use of existing facilities that are often under-utilized. These facilities also require some repair and maintenance activities.
Malaria
A new operational centre for Community Based Impregnation Treated Units (ITUs) was opened in co-operation with Texaco in Soyo, Zaire Province. UNICEF provided technical assistance and sent 4,800 mosquito nets, insecticide for impregnation and kits to establish the centre. 12,500 mosquito nets were also sent to the Luanda and Bengo ITUs. Since the launching of the UNICEF-supported programme to fight malaria, UNICEF has distributed 77,829 nets and more than 1,000 litres of the impregnation insecticide Permetrin to 12 ITUs. The goal for this year is to distribute an additional 80,000 nets.
UNICEF Angola participated in the WHO/USAID mission on Roll Back Malaria in complex emergency countries that involved senior officers from WHO-Geneva, AFRO and USAID. The mission focused on the on-going emergency situation in Namibe that has been caused by flooding. In Namibe, UNICEF is providing insecticide-treated nets for the flood victims. The mission made a quick appraisal of the Angola Malaria Profile in the emergency context and proposed strategies for action. USAID announced a pledge of US$5 million for three years to fight malaria.
Nutrition
A two-week workshop on the management of severe malnutrition of the new national protocols, held from 28 July - 9 August, was initiated in Benguela with the participation of the National Nutrition Programme (see Benguela section).
A mission to Kuito and Camacupa was jointly conducted from 20-25 July with a UNICEF international consultant to assess the evolution of the nutritional situation since the last mission conducted in June. Visits were conducted to IDP camps and supplementary and therapeutic feeding centres. Meetings were held with Concern, MSF-B, Care and WFP to discuss the findings. The situation remains critical, particularly among newly displaced people arriving from Ringoma, Unpulo and Cuemba. It appears that IDPs do not receive the necessary food aid on arrival because they have to wait for the next monthly food distribution. There are clear signs of malnutrition and pellagra among new arrivees, confirming the desperate humanitarian situation among inaccessible populations. Pellagra is estimated to afflict at least 20% of the total population in Kuito and Camacupa.
In July, UNICEF distributed 7 nutritional survey kits to carry on the forthcoming August nutrition survey in Luena. Also distributed were 2.5 metric tons of F100 therapeutic milk to treat malnourished children in the TFC of Menongue, 0.84 metric tons of F75 therapeutic milk to treat severely malnourished children in the TFC of Benguela and Catumbela and 90 boxes of ReSoMal to treat dehydration in malnourished children in the TFCs of Menongue and Huambo. 10,000 identification bracelets for patients admitted to nutrition rehabilitation centres managed by Save the Children-UK in Huambo were also distributed.
Salt Iodization
During the reporting period, an international expert finalized the evaluation of UNICEF- supported interventions on salt iodization. The evaluation concluded that the total salt production capacity of Angola is enough to cover the population’s requirements. However, last year national salt production was estimated at 32,605 MT, out of which only 9,795 MT was iodized. This corresponds to 20% of the total country yearly needs of 47,450 MT. There are two reasons for this: the lack of incentive to the producers, especially the 11% taxation against iodised salt, coupled with a low demand from the population. There was also a lack of surveillance of Iodine Deficiency Disorders by the authorities that masked the problem. Results of the evaluation were presented to a technical workshop with a broad spectrum of participants and were further discussed in a forum with the participation of the Vice Ministers of Fisheries, Health, Commerce and Agriculture. Based on the findings of the UNICEF consultant, the forum prepared recommendations that led to the establishment of an inter-institutional agenda for the preparation of a three-year plan of action to increase iodized salt production in Angola. The strategic plan is expected to be ready by the end of August 2001.
Vitamin A
Preparations for the supplementation of vitamin A to all children between 6 and 48 months who will be vaccinated against polio during the second round of NIDs were finalized. UNICEF provided technical support for the preparation of the training, planning, logistics and monitoring. In total, UNICEF provided 9 million doses of vitamin A, 10,000 scissors, 770,000 napkins and the material for training and registration.
B - Water and Sanitation
In Bengo Province, 4 hand-pumps benefiting around 5,000 people were installed in Caxito. In Mazozo, the construction of one water supply system commenced, consisting of: a connection to the Catete water supply net; a water treatment plant; elevated storage; distribution to 3 stand- posts; and, 1 public laundry. This will benefit approximately 3,000 people. In Malange, 5 water points with hand pumps were rehabilitated, benefiting approximately 2,500 displaced and resident population in the city. In Benguela Province, the local water authorities with UNICEF support are constructing bore-holes to be equipped with hand pumps in the surrounding areas of Benguela.
Ten family latrines were constructed in Menongue and 77 latrines in Cassai (Lobito Municipality), benefiting 87 resident and displaced families. Latrine construction activities continue in Mabuia, Bengo Province. Two seminars on latrine construction were conducted with UNICEF support in Benguela and Kuando Kubango Provinces. The seminars benefited 30 participants, 15 in each province. Due to the current insecurity in Dombe Grande, Benguela Province, the local water authorities decided to transfer the planned activities to Damba Maria Bairro where IDPs are concentrated. Using the PHAST methodology, three seminars on Hygiene Education were conducted in Malanje Cunene and Moxico provinces for 65 participants.
C - Education
Activities in July were oriented to focus upon improved learning conditions within vulnerable schools during the second semester. Education materials were distributed to benefit 120,000 children in Huila, Moxico, Bie, Benguela, Malanje, Uige, Huambo and Luanda provinces. The Norwegian Government offered funding for a new UNICEF-supported project to improve girls’ education. The aim is to offer assistance across 4 municipalities to achieve the inclusion of more girls within primary education.
UNICEF assisted in the provision of training in communication skills and gender issues alongside staff from the Ministry of Education and Culture (MoEC). This took the form of seminars for 3 teams of trainers who will deliver courses for 120 primary school teachers in Baia Farta, Lobito, Benguela and Sumbe. In a separate development, the MoEC, UNICEF and other partners are preparing educational material for women’s literacy that will provide information on early child development, health, hygiene and nutrition.
D - Child Protection
UNICEF met with donors and the Minister of Justice to confirm the intention of the Government of Angola to register all Angolan children in the national birth registration campaign. As part of the preparations for the birth registration campaign, the Government and UNICEF prepared a ceremony that will launch the campaign on 9 August in Malanje in the presence of the UNICEF Executive Director, Carol Bellamy and Government Ministers.
During the National Angolan Fair Exhibition, the Child Protection section enlisted the support of 12 companies in sponsoring birth registration t-shirts. The companies will have their logos printed on the back of the t-shirts in return for their payment of the t-shirt production costs. All the materials required for the registration of children are being sent to all provinces through WFP and other freight companies.
Two additional Child Friendly Spaces opened for IDP children in Luanda and Huambo Provinces. It is estimated that about 2,000 children will benefit from these additional child friendly spaces during the year. Three more city children who were abducted during the attack on Caxito arrived in Malanje. UNICEF assisted these children in finding their families and returning home. UNICEF continues to offer support to children to Mavinga after military clean-up operations that took place in May. UNICEF is working alongside CARITAS to care for these children.
E - Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS) data collection has now been completed in 11 provinces. In total, over 4,000 households (out of 6,660 planned) have been surveyed. Conducted by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), with financial and technical support from UNICEF and USAID, the MICS will provide vital statistics on the situation of children and women in Angola. In July, data collection started in Huambo and Uige provinces. Preliminary results of the survey are expected in January 2002.
UNICEF Angola held a two-day Programme Management Mid-Year Review Meeting with field offices to review progress to date in the implementation of UNICEF-supported programmes. And, as part of its strengthening of emergency response and preparedness capacity, UNICEF is recruiting an Emergency Project Officer whose main task will be support to the Field Offices. UNICEF Angola also received emergency funds from UNICEF New York for restocking the NFI buffer stocks pre-positioned in the provincial field offices.
F - Information and Communication
Advocacy/External Relations
International media interviews with UNICEF staff were conducted with the Christian Science Monitor and with Metro, a Netherlands-based newspaper, with the first article having already appeared in the Christian Science Monitor. Discussions on possible upcoming visits by the Netherlands "Nos Jorrnal" television programme and Radio Avisen, Denmark were held. An article from the June issue of UNICEF Angola’s monthly newsletter, Canuco, is being reprinted in Japan’s National Committee magazine to help raise awareness among donors of UNICEF’s work in Angola and an article from the July issue of Canuco is being pitched to newspapers in Brazil and Portugal.
On 4 July, 15,000 copies of the UNICEF civic education booklet, Epa! with a Polio-NIDs theme, were distributed to all UNICEF provincial offices and through partners and counter-parts to raise public awareness and understanding of the 6-8 July polio-NIDs. Epa! was also inserted free of charge in the 4 July edition of Jornal de Angola, the largest circulation newspaper in Angola. The July issue of the electronic and hard copy versions of the monthly UNICEF Angola newsletter "Canuco", were produced and widely distributed to media, national committees, UN agencies, donors, NGOs and other partners. Canuco featured articles on: the life of the sewer boys of Luanda; a women’s income-generating project; polio-NIDs; biography of UNICEF Executive Director, Carol Bellamy; and, other UNICEF activities. Upcoming high level advocacy visits include the visit of Carol Bellamy to Angola, accompanied by CNN, from 7-10 August and of 3 UK Members of Parliament in the first week of September, possibly accompanied by ITN-TV.
Three sets of 25 large-size, black & white photos with captions relevant to all areas of UNICEF Angola intervention have been plastified and now form an inexpensive UNICEF travelling photo exhibition to be used for advocacy purposes in Luanda and between UNICEF provincial offices. The UNICEF Angola 2002 desk calendar is also under production. UNICEF supported the VOA polio-NIDs national journalist training seminar from 17-19 July and have developed a one-on-one relationship with a journalist interested in health issues that has resulted in articles in the weekly newspaper, Actual.
UNICEF continued its weekly radio broadcasts in 8 local languages on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (80 minutes/week) and Co-Radio (90 minutes/week) with Radio National Angola. The June issue of UNICEF’s monthly "Noticias" report - a compilation of the month’s media articles on all issues related to UNICEF’s work in Angola - was produced and distributed, serving as a reference document for UNICEF staff, counter-parts and partners. Angolan Government counter-parts, partners and members of the public continue to make use of the wide variety of information - approximately 3,500 documents - in the UNICEF Angola Child Knowledge Centre in Luanda.
HIV/AIDS
The HIV/AIDS unit participated in the regional PMTCT meeting held in Kampala, Uganda from 9-11 July. This was UNICEF Angola’s first participation in a regional PMTCT meeting, the purpose of which was to seek support to design a PMTCT project in Angola. The unit also supported the filming of the documentary called, "Condom Deal", facilitating filming and meetings between the film’s Angolan-based producer and the Ministry of Health, UN agencies, NGOs and other relevant organizations. The documentary falls under the audiovisual project "Steps For the Future: AIDS in África Austral". With the UNICEF education sector, the HIV/AIDS unit began to work on the contents to be included in the INIDE project, regarding "life skills education" teaching methodologies. UNICEF-supported NGOs continued to raise awareness amongst youth about HIV/AIDS & STDs prevention and knowledge in various provinces. The new international HIV/AIDS officer has been recruited and arrives in mid-August.
Mine Awareness
As part of the curriculum initiative UNICEF provided technical assistance and materials for two PEPAM training courses that took place in Malange and also in Cunene. In total, 130 teachers received information to help them deliver mines awareness education within the school curriculum. Theatre groups from Moxico, Uige and Malange provinces attended an informal meeting at UNICEF Luanda to consider the impact of new guidelines concerning the collaboration between UNICEF and community-based organizations (CBOs). As a result of this meeting, a formal CBO/NGO mini-conference has been confirmed for 20-24 August to discuss a common Mission Statement, logistics, administration and emergency contingency planning. UNICEF staff conducted a monitoring visit to the theatre group, Palancas Negras, who are based in Malange, noting that a high standard of social mobilization activities are taking place. Two important meetings took place at INAROEE this month. At the meeting to organize the ‘Angola Flying Team’, office space and equipment requirements were agreed upon and the decision to recruit personnel for the team in October was taken. At the second meeting, all the mine awareness agencies working in Angola agreed upon a standard format for reporting their field activities to INAROEE.
Social Mobilization
Activities were devoted to mobilizing the population for the 6-8 July NIDs, through a media-oriented campaign which included: radio spots by Angolan celebrities: As Gingas, Man-Torras, Miguel Lutondo, Miss Angola, Estrelhinha Cuia, etc.; radio spots in national languages; radio round table discussions and interviews; television spots, interviews and talk shows; publication of Epa! and Xe! on Polio-NIDs; international football match public events; operation Stop Polio; social mobilization training seminars with church organizations and Scout leaders; Scout house-to-house visits; visits by the polio mascot Estrelhina Cuia to schools and markets; journalist polio awareness training; and, the distribution and public display of large-size Polio-NID banners. Posters, radio spots, television spots and t-shirts were also developed and produced for the launch of the national birth registration campaign, to be held on 9 August. The new international Social Mobilization officer has been recruited and will arrive in August.
G - UNICEF Field Offices
Benguela Province
Since the beginning of the year, over 11,300 IDPs are reported in the province, mainly in Ganda, Bocoio, Balombo, Chongoroi and Cubal communes. Displaced persons either arrived from Huambo Province or were displaced within Benguela. Although no particular security incidents were reported during the period, the security situation remains of concern and limits humanitarian accessibility to only a few areas. For example, during the first round of the NIDs conducted from 6-8 July, numerous communes were not reached, such as Biopo, Equimina, Calohanga, Egipto Praia, Canjala, Passe, Ebanga, Chila and Lambala. In total, the provincial health authorities reported that over 554,000 children were immunized against polio during the first round, i.e. over 114% coverage, indicating the lack of accurate population data.
Plans to close two IDP transit centres in Ganda and Cubal were discussed with provincial authorities and humanitarian partners, with the view of resettling displaced persons in their areas of origin in Huambo and Ganda. UNICEF organised, with the National Nutrition Programme, a two-week workshop on the management of severe malnutrition with reference to the newly agreed national protocols from 28 July-9 August. Participants include nutritionists from the National Nutrition Programme, provincial nutrition supervisors, technicians of therapeutic feeding centres in Huambo, Menongue, Bengo, Catumbela and Benguela provinces, 1 medical doctor from the Luanda Paediatric Hospital and nutritionists from the NGOs CRS, Concern and ACH.
UNICEF provided 7,000 bars of soap to benefit attendants of therapeutic feeding centres in the province and also provided 2 bicycles to facilitate the supervision of the supplementary feeding centre in Bocoio. UNICEF supported a workshop for the training of 48 TEP teachers in Cubal municipality. Education materials were also distributed to benefit 2,600 out-of-school children attending the UNICEF supported Mini-School and TEP programme, with a view to their reintegration into the formal school system in Chongoroi municipality.
Bie Province
65,000 new IDPs were reported in the province since the beginning of the year, mainly concentrating in Kuito and Camacupa communes. During July, the influx of displaced persons continued. The areas of origin of displaced population include numerous communes within the province, namely Nharea, Andulo, Camacupa, Catabola, Cambandua, Cuemba, Cuhinga and Chinguar communes. The high reported displacement illustrates the precarious security situation throughout the province.
During the evening of 21-22 July, Belo-Horizonte commune in Cunhinga municipality was attacked, resulting in the displacement of 7,000 people towards the municipal capital. The same night another attack was reported on Chipeta commune in Catabola municipality, resulting in the death of 4 civilians. On 23 July, the village of Tuda Chissocua was also attacked, leaving 3 people dead. Three mine accidents were also reported in Kuito and Nharea, resulting in 2 deaths and 3 injuries.
The first round of the NIDs took place from 6-8 July. In comparison to last year, accessibility was greatly improved. The campaign this year gained access to 13 communes not reached in 2000. Preliminary results indicate that over 212,000 children were vaccinated. UNICEF actively participated in the planning, coordination and implementation of the NIDs. To complement the measles emergency campaign conducted last June in Kuito, another campaign was conducted from 18-25 July in Camacupa and from 25-29 July in Catabola. Financed by UNICEF, the campaign resulted in the immunization of 12,184 children who are under 5 years of age against measles. The latest nutritional survey conducted by MSF-Belgium among IDP camps in Kuito revealed an acute malnutrition rate of 13%.
Huambo Province
Since the beginning of the year, over 14,100 persons were displaced within the province, mainly arriving in Huambo, Caala, Longonjo and Ukuma communes. The security situation remains unpredictable, with several attacks reported on convoys between the road Huambo to Kuito and Tchipipa to Bailundo. Attacks resulted in the death of at least 5 civilians and the alleged kidnapping of up to others.
The first round of the polio NIDs took place between 6-11 July. The local health authorities reported that over 202,000 children under five years of age were vaccinated in all municipalities. In comparison to last year, accessibility during the NIDs improved, with new communes reached with the logistical and security support provided by FAA and the police. The new areas that were reached include Luvemba, M’Bimbi, Mungo, Lunji, Wama, Londuimbali and Ussoke. UNICEF actively participated in the organisation and implementation of the NIDs and provided all vaccines necessary for the campaign.
In collaboration with IMC, UNICEF provided vaccination materials for the provincial fixed vaccination posts and supported MSF-F and the health authorities with self-destructing syringes for the organisation of the measles vaccination campaign for displaced persons in Caala. UNICEF also distributed 24 essential drugs kits to benefit 18,000 displaced and resident persons attending health posts and centres in Ukuma, Caala, Katchihungo, Tchikala-Tcholohanga and Tchinjenje municipalities. To strengthen monitoring and reinforce control of the availability of essential drugs in the province, UNICEF also provided administrative materials to health posts and centres in the municipalities identified above.
In collaboration with UAJCA, 35 activists conducted a sensitisation campaign on HIV/AIDS to raise awareness among truck drivers, the military and health personnel. Soap, blankets, plastic sheeting and kitchen kits were also provided to assist 500 malnourished children in supplementary feeding centres supported by MOLISV and ADACRU. Similar materials were provided to the Catholic Church to assist 655 displaced families in Chipipa and Cruzeiro, Huambo commune.
Huíla and the Southern Provinces
The security situation remains unpredictable, with several incidents reported during the month. In Huila Province, Ngola was occupied by UNITA before being retaken by government troops a week later. In Quilingues commune, the IDP camp of Pira-Catala was attacked, reportedly resulting in the burning of 48 houses. During this incident, the death of an elderly person was reported and also the kidnapping of 1 woman and 1 child.
In Cunene, the car driven by the Provincial Governor activated a land mine in Hume, resulting in serious injuries. On the road between Ondjiva to Namacunde, a civilian vehicle was attacked. In Kuando Kubango Province access is still limited to Menongue and Cuito Canavale and the influx of IDPs to Menongue continued.
The first round of the polio-NIDs took place from 6-8 July. In Namibe Province, preliminary results indicate that 43,645 under five children were vaccinated. Logistical constraints were encountered due to the poor state of the roads following the heavy floods last April. In Kuando Kubango Province, over 55,000 children were vaccinated. Security constraints seriously limited access, as illustrated by the low reported coverage (57%). In Huila Province, the local authorities reported that over 337,000 children were immunized during the first round. In Cunene, reports indicate that over 67,000 children were vaccinated. Vaccines and related materials were distributed to the network of fixed vaccination posts in Lubango to reinforce routine immunization activities.
UNICEF continued to support the Angolan NGO, Prazadores, to conduct awareness campaigns on the danger of HIV/AIDS and other STDs. Numerous campaigns were conducted in schools in Huila, benefiting over 1,000 students. In Lubango, 13 campaigns were conducted in markets, benefiting 200 persons. The Youth Information Centre established with UNICEF support in Lubango also continued its HIV/AIDS sensitisation activities - the Centre also sells condoms to youth at nominal prices.
A capacity-building seminar benefiting 36 participants of the provincial and district Maternal Deaths Surveillance Committees in Huila received UNICEF technical assistance, training materials and operational support. In Kuando Kubango Province, MINARS, ADPP, Caritas and UNICEF are providing support to the 122 separated children recently brought by the FAA to Menongue from Mavinga. Within the framework of MINARS family tracing programme, activities continue to locate the families of these children. In Huila Province, mine awareness activities through the NGO, Clube de Jovens, were conducted in Lubango, Chibia, Matala and Humpata, benefiting over 2,600 displaced and resident populations.
Malanje Province
The security situation in the province remains precarious with several security incidents reported during July. Two landmine accidents caused the death of 3 children on 7 July and the injury of another child on 16 July. Matete in Cacuso municipality was attacked on 19 July and Quela was reportedly held by UNITA for 3 consecutive days from 11 to 13 July, resulting in an influx of displaced persons towards the provincial capital. From January to June 2001, over 7,600 new IDPs arrived into the province, half of them in Malanje, Cambondo, Cacuso and Lombe and the other half in Cangandala. Displaced persons from the neighbouring Mussende municipality in Kwanza Sul continued to arrive during the month in Cangandala in critical nutritional conditions.
The first round of the polio-NIDs were conducted from 7-9 July. In comparison to last year, accessibility slightly improved and new communes such as Kahombo, Kambo and Marimba could be reached, thanks to the involvement of the army and police forces which provided logistical and security support. Preliminary results indicate 124% polio immunization coverage, illustrating the unreliability of population estimates currently being used. UNICEF conducted a large distribution of essential drug kits to benefit 37,000 people in numerous health posts and centres in Cacuso, Calandala, Lombe, Luquembo, Cambundi-Catembo and Malanje. 37 kits were distributed to the provincial health authorities and to GVC, ADRA International and IMC. In addition, 45 kits for traditional birth attendants were provided to IMC. A measles vaccination campaign conducted in Malanje municipality by IMC was also supported with transportation means.
700 blankets were distributed to benefit children attending the Concern-managed supplementary feeding centres in Malanje and Lombe, to children in the Malanje orphanage and to new IDPs in Cangandala. Support to the Malanje water brigades continued with the provision of cement for the rehabilitation of 2 water points in the city to improve access to water for 1,500 people.
Moxico Province
The influx of displaced persons and returnees in Luena continued with the arrival of 871 persons, mostly children and women, coming from Cangumbe, Muangay and Alto Zambese in Moxico Province, Dala in Lunda Sul Province, Cuemba in Bie Province, Sautar in Malanje Province and the neighbouring DRC. The security situation remains precarious, with large troops movements reported in the province and the transfer of the FAA operational post from Malanje to Luena. Two mine accidents were reported in Cavungo and Cazombo, Alto Zambese municipality.
UNICEF actively participated in the organisation and implementation of the first round of the NIDs against polio in the province. Accessibility during the first round improved compared to last year, with new areas reached, namely, Leua, Liangongo, and Lucusse. It is worth noting that the FAA/Police supported the campaign in 7 out of 8 communes reached. However, the poor security conditions in the province still seriously limit access. As during last year campaign, Luchazes, Lumbala-Nguibo and Alto Zambese municipalities were not reached. Vaccination in Luau municipality was supported with teams from the neighbouring DRC. The provincial health authorities reported that 54,642 children under five were vaccinated during the campaign, i.e. an estimated 82% coverage. The campaign was supported by 15 humanitarian organisations. During the reporting period, UNICEF distributed 20 family tents and 890 blankets for displaced children in Tchizulie camp.
Mine awareness material was distributed to over 3,000 primary school-age children enrolled in schools in Luena. In addition, awareness campaigns on the danger of landmines and UXOs were conducted for resident and displaced populations in schools, IDP camps and markets, benefiting 2,890 persons, including 1,950 children.
Uige Province
The security situation in the province remains tense. UNICEF staff that had been re-located to Luanda following the June attack on Uige City are now back in the field. On 17 July, a convoy between Luanda and Uige was attacked and looted. Military operations around Lemboa and Puri were reported. Villagers were reportedly kidnapped following a UNITA attack on Banza-Luanda village, only 17 km away from Uige City.
Since the beginning of the year the ongoing conflict has displaced over 20,500 persons in the province. IDPs are arriving in Uige, Negage and Nova Esperanca communes. During the first round of the polio-NIDs, over 185,000 children were reportedly vaccinated in the province. Accessibility greatly improved compared to last year. The synchronisation of activities with the neighbouring DRC allowed access to Beu, Sakandika and Kuilu Futa communes. New communes also accessed include Kimpetelu, N’soso, Caiongo, Quitende, Canbambe, Quifuafua and Macocola.
In other areas, there was an increase in the number of measles cases among children attending the provincial hospital. A workshop was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice to train 25 staff for the upcoming birth registration campaigns. 19,500 primary school children benefited from the distribution of educational materials in 10 schools in Uige and another 12,000 benefited in Bembe municipality. And, in collaboration with INAROEE and the MoEC, several schools in the vicinity of Uige benefited from mine awareness activities.
(Also available at: www.reliefweb.int; www.unicef.org/emerg; www.angonet.org; & www.gro.unicef.org)