OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Angola - Floods
4 May 2001


Cash contributions to the UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for 2001
are urgently needed.

(The full text is available on the OCHA Internet Website:
http://www.reliefweb.int)

This report is based on information received from the OCHA Office
in Angola.


Situation

1.  During the past week, Government authorities and representatives of
the humanitarian community carried out six technical assessments in
flood-affected areas in the provinces of Bengo, Benguela, Huila, Luanda
and Namibe.  Registration of the affected populations and distribution of
emergency assistance are on-going. Under the leadership of the Technical
Unit for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (UTCAH), Government
authorities, the UN agencies and NGOs are developing a consolidated
national plan of action to respond to the needs of flood-affected
populations in the affected provinces of Bengo, Benguela, Cunene, Huila,
Luanda and Namibe.

2.  Benguela Province: There have been no reports of heavy rains have been
reported since 15 April.  Implementation of the original plan of action
for Dombe Grande has been delayed due to the prevailing lack of security.  
Although severe flooding is hampering access to the affected areas,
especially the hard-hit areas of Luacho and Senje, Government officials
did nonetheless manage to reach some locations in the Dombe Grande area by
road and boat.  Over the past two weeks the Government has distributed 827
sacks of corn and 427 sacks of beans to 3,080 families in five locations,
including IDP camps in Senje, Luacho, Muhaningo and Seco. As soon as road
access and security conditions improve, humanitarian organisations are
prepared to further complement provincial government efforts to assist
vulnerable populations in flood-affected areas on the basis of the plan of
action for Dombe Grande and surrounding territories.

3.  Cunene Province: The full extent of flood-related damage in the
province has yet to be clarified. Inundated roads and bridges continue to
hinder access to many affected populations, including approximately 5,000
IDPs in Cuvelai and 250 IDPs at the Namacunde resettlement site. Reports
indicate that houses have been destroyed in Namacunde, Xangongo and
Onjiva, where six persons have reportedly lost their lives due to the
collapse of houses.  The impact of the heavy rains on agricultural
production is a matter for concern.  According to UTCAH, populations in
hard-hit areas face increased food insecurity and may require food
assistance into 2002. Malaria cases are reported to have increased as a
result of the high water levels. Health centres in towns and villages are
inadequately stocked considering the gravity of the situation.

4.  Huíla Province: The report from the assessment mission fielded to
Lubango on 24 April shows that at least 300 families have been affected by
the floods.  Large areas of agricultural land have been inundated and
crops have been destroyed. It is feared that water-borne disease will
spread due to flooded latrines and inadequate medical control.  Following
the assessment, Government representatives and humanitarian partners
developed a plan of action to address the needs of affected populations.
Additional technical assessments in the towns of Quipongo and Caluquembe
are scheduled for the coming week.

5.  Namibe Province:  During a follow-up assessment conducted on 24 April,
the original plan of action was revised. Between 20 and 24 April, WFP
distributed an emergency one-month food ration to 22,626 beneficiaries
based on the revised plan. Subsequent registrations and verifications were
conducted in the Macala neighbourhood of Namibe city, bringing the total
number of beneficiaries to 27,627 persons (5,466 families) by 27 April.
Registration in the area of Bibala is underway and assessment missions are
scheduled for the isolated areas of Lucira and Camacuio. The need for
non-food items, especially plastic sheeting, blankets, water containers,
soap, clothing and stocks of essential medicines remains critical.


National and International Assistance

6.  Humanitarian partners are working closely with the Government to help
flood victims and provide complementary support to meet urgent needs. The
Angolan Government has allocated approximately USD nine million to respond
to the flood situation.

7.  OCHA allocated USD 49,900 to support NGOs implementing key components
of the plans of action.

8.  During this week, Caritas plans to distribute an emergency package to
447 flood-affected families in Dombe Grande commune. The package will
include a one-month food ration provided by WFP and non-food items made
available by UNICEF, Save the Children-UK and ADPP (a local NGO).

9.  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. Cash contributions to the UN Consolidated
Inter-Agency Appeal for 2001 are urgently needed.

10.  Within the context of the Appeal, OCHA is also prepared to serve as a
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 narrative reports and financial details concerning the
expenditure of the funds contributed through this office.

11.  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 contributions 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.

12.  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 (OCHA Disaster Response Branch):
  Mr. J. Boutroue (Chief, Africa I and the Middle East) 
  Ms. Y. Sawada (Desk Officer) direct Tel. +41 22 917 1438/1768

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


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