Angola - OFDA-03: 15.Jul.97
Angola - OFDA-03: 15.Jul.97
U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE (BHR)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
ANGOLA - Complex Emergency
Situation Report #3, Fiscal Year (FY) 1997 July 15, 1997
Note: The last Situation Report was issued February 28, 1997.
BACKGROUND
After 20 years of civil war, the Government of the Republic of Angola (GRA)
and representatives of the National Union for Total Independence of Angola
(UNITA)$signed the Lusaka Protocol, a comprehensive peace agreement, on
November 20, 1994. The protocol called for a cease-fire, the quartering and
disarming of UNITA troops, and the formation of a unified national army. In
return for its demilitarization, UNITA would take part in a government of
national reconciliation. On February 9, 1995, the United Nations (U.N.)
Security Council authorized the establishment of a 7, 500-member peacekeeping
operation, the U.N. Angola Verification Mission III (UNAVEM III), to help
oversee the peace agreement. Due to continual delays in the peace process
and enduring tensions between those areas controlled by UNITA and those under
GRA control, large parts of the country remain insecure and isolated. UNAVEM
III's mandate expired June 30, 1997 when the U.N. Security Council created
the U.N. Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA).
NUMBERS AFFECTED
The U.N. estimates that 3.3 million Angolans can be classified as displaced
and war-affected. Of this total, 1.2 million are internally displaced
persons (IDPs), 1.8 million ave war-affected and 300,000 are refugees.
Total U.S. Government (USG) Humanitarian
Assistance FY 1997 (to date) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $62,189,525
CURRENT SITUATION
New IDPs and Refugees:
Recent escalations in attacks and military activity have produced new
displaced populations in several parts of the country. Areas in the southern
Benguela, northern Huila and eastern Huambo triangle continue to suffer from
attacks by armed groups. As a result, some 17,000 new IDPs have arrived in
Cubal as of February 1997. The new arrivals are reported to be in good
condition, but say they have no intentions of returning home due to the
present insecurity.
Fighting erupted during late May and June, as Angolan Army (FAA) troops moved
into UNITA held areas in the Lunda provinces. WFP announced on June 5 that
it would airlift food to 3,000 IDPs who had fled to Andrade (also known as
N'Zaji). On June 24, local authorities reported to a USAID/U.N. assessment
mission that 3,900 IDPs were registered in the town of Andrade while about
700 registered at Chikogerero camp, five kilometers north of town. The
mission also visited the town of Maludi, 40km south of Andrade, where they
counted 375 IDPs. It was noted that all three villages between Andrade and
Maludi were abandoned and had been looted. Again, these new IDPs appear to
be in good condition and have no intentions of returning to their homes at
present. On June 27, President dos Santos and UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi
agreed to take steps to ease tensions in the area. Dos Santos agreed to halt
all military action while Savimbi agreed to demobilize all UNITA fighters in
the area. Nevertheless, by July 9 WFP reported that the number of IDPs in
Andrade had increased to more than 6, 000 and that hundreds more were on
their way to the government held town. Separate missions from WFP, UNICEF
and Lutheran World Federation report groups of IDPs in the areas of Cossa,
Maludi and M'Buia all walking toward Andrade.
Meanwhile, there are reports of approximately 7,000-12,000 Rwandan and
Congolese refugees at the border between Angola and the Democratic Republic
of Congo (DROC -formerly Zaire). Attempts by ICRC and UNHCR to reach this
population continue.
The GURN:
After much delay, the inauguration of a Government of National Unity and
Reconciliation (GURN) was finally realized. On April 9, 67 of UNITA s 70
Deputies were sworn in to the National Assembly, and the GURN was inaugurated
two days later on April 11. The GURN is composed of 29 ministers and 56
vice-ministers drawn from all political parties represented in the National
Assembly. UNITA has four ministers and seven vice-ministers. Early reports
indicate that the GURN is working relatively smoothly.
Paving the way for this advance in the peace process was the approval by the
National Assembly of legislation conferring special status upon UNITA's
Savimbi. The legislation gives Savimbi the official title of leader of the
main opposition party and grants him the right to regular consultation with
the President and members of the government, and the right to publish
messages on the state-owned press. The government will also provide Savimbi
a residence in Luanda, a team of body guards and an undisclosed salary
befitting his status. Despite all of this, Savimbi did not attend
inauguration ceremonies in Luanda. He remains in Bailundo citing concern for
his safety in Luanda.
Extension of State Administration:
Despite its participation in the GURN, UNITA continues to maintain control
over much of the country. Under the Lusaka Protocol, UNITA is obliged to
allow the government of Angola, of which it is now a part, to resume
administrative control throughout the country. This process began on April
30 when control was transferred in Mbanza Congo, the capital of Zaire
Province. However, since that time progress has been very slow. UNITA
continues to delay the process where it has been scheduled in Huambo, Kwanza
Sul, Bengo and Uige. It is clear that the extension of state administration
will not be completed by the time of UNAVEM's withdrawal. Former UNITA
member Nzau Puna has said that UNITA is relying on the departure of UNAVEM in
order to continue its occupation of large areas of the country.
Of particular concern to UNITA is control over diamond rich areas in the
Lunda provinces which provide a major source of funding. Recently, FAA
troops advanced into Lunda Norte in what the government called a clean-up
operation to flush out armed groups that entered Angola from the DROC.
However, this may also be a move by the FAA to gain control over this diamond
rich region.
Quartering and Demobilization:
The quartering and demobilization process that was originally scheduled to be
completed in six months is now in its twenty-second month. The process began
in the fall of 1995 with the quartering of troops at 15 U.N.-supervised
Selection and Demobilization Centers (SDC), formerly known as Quartering
Areas, and seven War-Disabled Centers (WDC). After many delays, more than
66,000 UNITA soldiers and 5,000 UNITA police, accompanied by over 120,000
civilian dependents, were processed at the SDCs and WDCs. A major cause for
concern, however, is that over 25,000 troops registered have subsequently
deserted the SDCs.
Demobilization began September 24, 1996 with underage soldiers at the Vila
Nova SDC. The process continued at a very slow pace until the commencement
of the Rapid Demobilization Program (RDP) on April 12. The International
Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that 42,000 ex-UNITA troops and
their dependents will benefit from the RDP. The RDP will demobilize soldiers
according to regions beginning with the Central region and moving to
Southern, Northern, Northeastern, Eastern and finally the Southeastern
region. The program is scheduled to be completed by September 30, 1997. As
of July 2, a total of 18,316 soldiers and 30,981 of their dependents have
been demobilized and transported to their homes. The RDP is complete at the
SDCs of Vila Nova, Londiumbali, Quibala, N'gove and Chicuma and the camps
have been closed. The process should be completed at Quibaxe, Negage and
N'Tuko SDCs by the end of July, and RDP is scheduled to begin at Catala,
Chitembo, Licua and Lumege SDCs on July 14. Upon completion of the
demobilization of ex- UNITA troops, the IOM looks forward to beginning the
process of demobilization for FAA troops.
Each ex-soldier is entitled to a demobilization package that includes
household items, clothing, seeds, tools and a cash payment from the GRA in
the form of a Special Subsidy to Support Reinstallation (SEAR). A cause for
concern is that large numbers of demobilizing soldiers have changed their
selected destinations. All of the new destinations are to areas presently
under UNITA control.
Integration of Ex-FMU soldiers into the FAA:
Under the Lusaka Protocol, UNITA agreed to merge its forces to create a
unified army of 64,000 former FAA soldiers and 26,300 former UNITA fighters.
The integration of former UNITA troops into the FAA proceeded slowly due to
lack of trust on both sides. Additionally, the FAA claims that it has not
found many well qualified candidates for integration.
In December 1996, nine of UNITA's 59 generals were officially integrated
along with eight colonels, 10 lieutenant colonels and 19 majors. The pace of
integretion increased following the inauguration of the GURN. A total of
19,130 quartered UNITA troops were selected and 11,125 had been integrated
into the FAA when the process was officially declared complete on July 10,
1997. However, as these troops are transported to their new FAA bases, their
families have stayed behind in the SDCs. As the SDCs close and the NGOs end
their support activities, these families present a new and growing
humanitarian concern.
The Protocol also provided for the incorporation of 5,500 UNITA members into
the national GRA police force. However, by mid-April only 545 had been
elected due in part to what UNITA considers unacceptably high standards.
UNAVEM III/MONUA:
To serve as a buffer to deter skirmishes, some 4,000 former-UNAVEM military
personnel remain stationed throughout Angola under the authority of the newly
created U.N. Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA). The mandate for UNAVEM III
expired on June 30, 1997 and troop withdrawal is expected to be completed in
November 1997. To replace UNAVEM, the U.N. Security Council approved, as of
July 1, the establishment of MONUA. Its mission calls for about 1,200
monitors and civilian support staff, and includes human rights monitors,
military observers and political officers who will oversee the remaining
implementation of the Lusaka Protocol. The initial mandate is through
October 31, 1997, with the mission's expected completion by February 1, 1998.
Security Situation Deteriorates:
Lawlessness, exacerbated by severe economic conditions, prevails in most of
the country. Crime is particularly severe in Luanda but banditry is on the
rise country-wide.
On June 7 UNITA troops detained a number of UNHCR and NGO expatriate staff
attempting to withdraw from Luau due to a worsening security situation there.
UNITA then surrounded the local UNAVEM site, beat one UNAVEM member and
disabled communications equipment. On June 8, a high level UNAVEM Mission
traveled to Luau and negotiated the release of UNHCR and NGO personnel who
were then evacuated to Luanda.
As UNAVEM's drawdown continues, the SDCs have become vulnerable to increased
banditry and violence. On June 9, N'Gove SDC was robbed of health materials
and three UNAVEM and one IOM employee were beaten. Also on June 9, Vila Nova
SDC was looted of 27 tons of food. On June 17, Chicuma SDC was looted by
local quartered troops.
In a June 24 meeting with NGOs, UNAVEM General Sibanda advised NGOs operating
in Malange that strong feelings of resentment exist against the NGOs from the
local population. Reports also indicate that UNITA and FAA are strengthening
troops in the area.
Freedom of Movement:
The opening of roads for peacekeeping and humanitarian purposes is hindered
by thousands of land mines, numerous destroyed bridges, and a lack of
security in many parts of the countryside. Large parts of the country remain
isolated due to enduring tensions between areas controlled by UNITA and those
under GRA control. On April 14, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan reported
that 135 illegal checkpoints continue to operate, 77 belonging to UNITA. The
enduring presence of checkpoints and unrecovered land mines prevents
thousands of IDPs from returning home.
Incidents continue to occur on the road between Huambo and Vila Nova and
several aid organizations have had to suspend aid to the surrounding areas.
Also, the Luanda-Lobito and Chongoroi-Cubal roads continue to experience
attacks by armed groups. UNAVEM reports that attacks and ambushes occur
regularly along the Lobito-Huambo corridor with the goal usually appearing to
be robbery.
Land Mines/Mine Clearance:
The Central Mine Action Office of the U.N. (CMAO) estimates that there are 10
to 12 million land mmnes in Angola. The country suffers from one of the
world's highest rates of mine accidents. The UN Humanitarian Assistance
Coordination Unit (UCAH) estimates that mines have left as many as 100,000
civilian and soldier amputees. CMAO works closely with the GRA's Mine Action
Institute (INAROE) as well as with NGOs to conduct mine awareness, surveying,
marking, area reduction and mine removal activities.
Despite these efforts, recent reports indicate that new mines continue to be
laid. Benguela Province, particularly the Cubal area, has experienced a
spate of mine accidents that have occurred on well traveled areas. In April,
CRS reported a series of nine accidents in a period of ten days. All
incidents occurred on well-trodden paths, meaning that the mines were newly
laid.
RELIEF EFFORTS:
Bengo Province:
Save the Children Federation (SCF/US) has suspended its resettlement program
in the province. From late January until mid-February 1997, SCF/US
experienced frequent night raids on its warehouse in Quibaxe in which food
stocks and resettlement kits were stolen. Local security forces were unable
or unwilling to stop the raids and SCF/US closed its operations in the area
and withdrew its staff.
Benguela Province:
Medecins Sans Frontieres/France (MSF/F) manages therapeutic and supplementary
feeding centers in Cubal, and supports health posts to benefit the displaced
and war-affected populations in and around Cubal. Catholic Relief Services
(CRS) currently provides general food distribution to about 120,000 people in
the Cubal area, the majority of whom are displaced families who are unable to
resettle due to security concerns. CRS also distributes seeds and tools to
beneficiaries with access to arable land, and supports a number of
food-for-work projects in accessible areas throughout the province.
Bie Province:
MSF/Belgium provides therapeutic and supplemental feeding as well as offering
basic health care to population in outlying areas. Africare regularly
conducts vaccination campaigns against the five major preventable childhood
diseases in both UNITA and GRA-controlled areas of the province. Africare
also continues to provide humanitarian support to Andulo SDC.
Cuando Cubango Province:
CARE currently supports IDPs and war-affected people in the area of Menongue
by providing seeds, tools, and food- for-work programs. CARE also provides a
general food distribution to IDPs and war-affected beneficiaries who remain
in the area of Menongue. In October 1996, Action Contre la Faim (ACF) opened
an emergency feeding center in Menongue after nutritional surveys indicated a
global malnutrition rate of nine percent for children under five years old.
Preliminary studies suggest the cause of the malnutrition is due to an
absence of basic health care in the area, and not food availability.
Huambo Province:
International Medical Corps (IMC) manages two training-of-trainer programs in
both UNITA and GRA-controlled areas of the province, one is to improve the
skills of traditional birth attendants to reduce infant mortality, and the
second trains vaccinators to provide immunizations against five major
preventable childhood diseases. IMC has started to rehabilitate the
provincial health training center to increase the scope and availability of
basic health training programs in the region.
Huila Province:
Security conditions in northern Huila remain problematic, principally due to
increased tensions stemming from cattle theft. CARE continues to provide
food distribution to IDPs and war-affected populations in the towns of
Quilengues, Catala, Cacula, Quipungo, and Bibala. CARE also distributes
seeds and tools, and manages a food-for-work projects in resettlement areas,
particularly around Matala, Quipungo end Lola.
Kwanza Norte Province:
WVRD supports the resettlement of IDPs to accessible areas, and has provided
seeds, tools and agricultural extension services. WVRD also conducts mine
awareness campaigns, supports health post, manages food-for- work activities,
provides vaccinations and provides therapeutic and supplementary feeding.
USG support for WVRD activities transitioned from BHR/OFDA to USAID/AFR as of
March 1997.
Kwanza Sul Province:
Africare has distributed seeds and tools, in addition to vaccinations,
focusing on newly accessible areas in the southeast region of the province.
IMC manages training-of- trainer programs in both UNITA and GRA- controlled
areas to improve the skills of traditional birth attendants and vaccination
teams to reduce infant mortality. From its base in Kwanza Norte Province,
WVRD supports beneficiaries in the area of Calaulo with resettlement
activities. SCF/US manages a comprehensive resettlement program throughout
the province. USG support for SCF/US activities transitioned from BHR/OFDA
to USAID/AFR as of April 1997.
Moxico Province:
SCF/US continues to support an estimated 42,130 IDPs living in the city of
Luena with emergency food distribution. Resettlement of IDPs from Luena is
supported by various humanitarian organizations through the provision of
seeds, tools, resettlement kits and demining activities.
Zaire Province:
Africare continues to provide humanitarian support at the SDC in N'Tuco.
USG HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
In light of the continuing humanitarian needs in Angola, U.S. Ambassador
Donald K. Steinberg re- declared a disaster for FY 1997 on October 4, 1996.
As the largest provider of humanitarian assistance to Angola, the USG has
granted more than $410 million to assist war-affected and displaced persons.
Since 1989, BHR/OFDA has provided over $114 million in humanitarian
assistance to Angola. In 1991, BHR/OFDA began funding an Emergency Disaster
Relief Coordinator (EDRC) to oversee the USG's growing humanitarian programs.
Now, as the peace process moves forward and assistance to Angola shifts from
emergency relief to development, BHR/OFDA is beginning to diminish its role
and phase out of its humanitarian assistance programs. OFDA/EDRC left
country in June 1997 and will not be replaced. BHR/OFDA plans to close out
its programs in Angola by mid-1998.
As part of the coordinated U.S. Department of State and USAID Strategy for
Angola, BHR/OTI plays an integral part in the transition from emergency
relief to rehabilitation, reconstruction and development. Since 1994,
BHR/OTI has provided over $23 million for programs in Angola. BHR/OTI
supports several demobilization and reintegration activities, as well as
various mine action programs. BHR/OTI also provides funding for community
revitalization and empowerment projects. In addition, assistance is being
given to Voice of America in Angola for expansion of news reportw about
events in both GRA and UNITA-held areas, for conflict-resolution programming
and to provide training to Angolan journalists.
Since 1985, USAID's Office of Food For Peace (BHR/FFP) has provided emergency
food assistance worth more than $266 million to more than two million
Angolans directly through NGO partners, such as CARE, CRS, and SCF/US, as
well as through WFP and ICRC. This assistance exceeds $38 million for FY
1997. BHR/FFP's food programs work to improve household food security and
agricultural rehabilitation, through distributions of seeds and tools. Due
to the magnitude and complexity of its food program, a strategic objective
coordinator was placed in Angola to focus on USAID's program to support
resettlement, rehabilitation and food crop self-sufficiency of war-affected
communities.
As USG aid to Angola shifts from humanitarian relief to development
assistance, USAID's Bureau for Africa (AFR) is providing greater direction
and guidance for the program as well as a larger proportion of the financial
and human resources required for its implementation. In FY96, AFR provided
about $19.5 million development assistance funds for Angola. Approximately
$13.7 million was targeted toward resettlement, rehabilitation and food
self-reliance of war-affected communities. Approximately $5.7 million was
targeted toward strengthening civil society and political institutions in
ways that promote national integration and reconciliation. In FY97, AFR has
provided $7 million to help fund demobilization and community rehabilitation
activities. In April 1997, Jim Anderson was named USAID Representative to
Angola and will be taking up his position in Luanda shortly.
BHR/OFDA Assistance
Africare, seeds and tools, immunization
and SDC activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,251,842
CRS Health care, food distribution and
assistance to SDCs and health posts. . . . . . . . . . $1,847,275
MSF/F feeding centers in Benguela Town
and Cubal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,000,000
SCF/US distribution of food and seeds and
tools in Bengo, Moxico, Kwanza Sul . . . . . . . . . . $1,259,518
ACF, therapeutic/supplemental feeding, food
security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $322,357
IMC, training-of-trainers for maternal-
child health and immunization. . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,719,063
MSF/B, therapeutic/supplemental
feeding and bawic health care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $242,190
UNICEF medicines, medical supplies, and
emergency relief items for the SDCs. . . . . . . . . . . $700,000
WFP Support for light aircraft and
transportation of non-food items . . . . . . . . . . . $1,500,000
WVRD assistance to quartering areas. . . . . . . . . . . .$93,892
Plastic sheeting for dependents of
quartered troops & other programs. . . . . . . . . . .$. $128,995
Other Administrative Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $110,993
Total BHR/OFDA FY 97 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10,176,125
BHR/OTI Assistance
WVRD Mine Action program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $613,700
Creative Associates
community reactivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,400,000
CARE Mine Action program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $960,000
VOA, news, information and
conflict resolution programming. . . . . . . . . . . . . $680,000
Total BHR/OTI-FY 97. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,653,700
BHR/FFP Assistance
Non-Emergency Title I-to GOA . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10,000,000
7,540 MT to CARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,535,400
15,180 MT to SCF/US. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,643,200
8,880 MT to WFP/IEFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,576,300
32,000 MT to WFP/PRO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$16,604,800
Total BHR/FFP FY 97. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$39,359,700
USAID/AFR Assistance
UCAH demobilization fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,150,000
WVRD rehabilitating communities. . . . . . . . . . . . $3,850,000
CARE child survival and
rehabilitating communities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,000,000
Total USAID/AFR FY 97. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,000,000
TOTAL USG Humanitarian Assistance
FY 1997. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$62,189,525
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