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


Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

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

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

Press contact:  Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct Tel. +41-22-91726 53


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