Angola - DHA: 09.Oct-04.Nov.97
Angola - DHA: 09.Oct-04.Nov.97
ANGOLA
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION REPORT
Period covered: 9 October - 4 November 1997
The information contained in this report was provided by the
United Nations Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit in Luanda
(UCAH)
PENDING ISSUES FROM THE LAST JOINT COMMISSION FOLLOW-UP MEETING
ON THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
Nothing to report.
OVERVIEW
Relief organisations are extremely concerned with the increasing
incidents in Benguela Province (see incidents), as well as, with the
poor response to the 1997 Inter-Agency Appeal, particularly considering
the continued arrival of new IDPs, the ongoing assessments of
humanitarian conditions in areas now accessible as a result of the
Normalisation of State Administration and small scale resettlement
operations which demand support in health, education, food security and
water & sanitation. While the effects being made by MINARS are
acknowledged, relief organisations continue to face difficulties to
access needy populations, particularly in Lunda Norte where Alfa 5
continues to refuse access to relief workers stating that they are bound
by law 16/94 (Diamond Law).
RESETTLEMENT
Benguela Province: On 8 October, the transportation of the first group
of IDPs from Damba Maria camp to Chongoroi Municipality began. A total
of 1,452 IDPs are to be transported by IOM during the first phase on a
basis of 300 persons per week. The local administration in Chongoroi
has provided 1,200 hectares of land for these IDPs. The resettlement of
around 5,700 IDPs presently in Damba Maria cap has been postponed on
various occasions due to the lack of information on the security and
humanitarian conditions at the areas of resettlement. However, the
criminal acts against MONUA and Santa Barbara Foundation (a German NGO
working in partnership with WFP) which occurred in Chongoroi on 23/24
October and again on the evening of the 27th, has put a halt to this
resettlement/return scheme.
NEW DISPLACEMENTS
Cubal, Benguela Province: The CRS office in Cubal has been informed that
about 1,000 persons (some 250 families) have fled to Malongo Mission, 45
km south-west of Cubal Municipality, in Benguela Province. These IDPs
from villages near Rio Coporolo allege to have left their villages
because of the security conditions and do not intend to return until the
security situation has improved. They are in the same situation as
those presently in Cassiva from Hanha Mission, in the same
municipality. According to the CRS report, their villages were attacked
during the day by armed men. The Malongo Mission believes that the same
groups responsible for the incidents in Hanha Mission are also behind
the attack against populations in Rio Coporolo area.
HUMANITARIAN ASSESSMENTS
Calanga, Benguela Province: An assessment mission by MINARS/UCAH/WFP/
UNICEF/ CRS/CVA was carried out on 21 October to Calanga to evaluate the
conditions for the return of 674 IDPs actually in Dombe Grande. The
mission suggested that the return of the displaced to Calanga be
postponed due to the lack of services to support to evaluate the
conditions for the return of 674 IDPs actually in Dombe Grande. The
mission suggested that the return of the displaced to Calanga be
postponed due to the lack of basic services to support their
reinstallation.
Chongoroi, Benguela Province: Following the incident at
Chongoroi/Bolonguera (please see incidents) which led to the death of
two deminers and four Angolans, a high level mission including the
Minister of MINARS, the Ambassadors of the United Kingdom and Sweden,
the Charge d'affaires of Norway and Germany, the Deputy-Ambassador of
the United States of America, as well as, representatives of UCAH, WFP,
the SRSG's Office and NPA travelled to Chongoroi town and Benguela city
in the Province of Benguela on 31 October. The solidarity mission met
with local authorities, representatives of the Santa Barbara Foundation,
NGOs and UN Agencies operating in the region. Mission members were
informed of the details leading to the terrible incident, the measures
being adopted to identify and punish the culprits, as well as, SBF's
plans to redeploy somewhere else in the region and possible alternatives
to continue demining activities in this area. Other issues discussed
included the impact of Normalisation of State Administration on security
conditions, resettlement operations and rehabilitation projects.
Andulo, Bie Province: According to the local UNITA authorities, there
are some 5,000 persons in Andulo, who came mostly from Jamba and are
scattered among the resident population, as there is no gathering site
for them. The main requirements, as reported by UNITA, include the
rehabilitation of basic health and education infrastructure and the
provision of seeds and fertilisers. During a recent assessment mission
by UCAH, local representatives reported the evidence of a measles
epidemic in Andulo and Nharea municipalities. According to the UNITA
health officer, the most critical area is the Gamba commune where around
200 children have died since the epidemic broke out some three months
ago. A joint UN/NGO humanitarian assessment is required to assess the
real humanitarian needs and possible interventions in this province.
Benfica, Luanda Province: On 2 and 7 October, joint
UCAH/MINARS/UNICEF/SCN missions went to the IDP camps Benfica I and II,
in Luanda Province, to assess the basic living conditions of more than
1,000 IDPs gathered there since 1992. The 836 IDPs at Benfica II from
Zaire, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Bie and Kwanza Sul Provinces have no
access to potable water, educational facilities for their 540 children
nor medical assistance. They also require improved shelter as the tents
provided by UNICEF in 1992 have already deteriorated. Detailed
information on the educational requirements is being gathered for
possible assistance.
Camanongue, Moxico Province: On 30 October, a truck (the fifth vehicle
of the convoy) hit an anti-tank mine between Camanongue and Luena along
the Malange-Surimo-Luena road, which led to the death of the driver.
This truck was part of a WFP convoy composed of more than 50 vehicles
which were transporting food and non-food items to Luena. Preliminary
reports indicate that the mine was laid recently along this route which
is used frequently by relief workers. After the timely intervention of
the INAROE Moxico demining brigade which cleared other additional four
mines, the rest of the convoy was able to proceed and finally arrive at
its destination.
Chongoroi, Benguela Province: The Santa Barbara Foundation demining
team, operating within the frame work of WFP's feeder road
rehabilitation project, stopped its activities on the Bolonguera road,
in Chongoroi Municipality, after being threatened on 6 October by a
group of bandits led by a former UNITA Captain called 'Estrella' (Star)
who was demobilised from the Chicuma SDC during the Rapid Demobilisation
exercise. The team started demining the road to Pinde, but the SBF
supervisor was informed during a meeting with UNITA authorities on 8
October in Cui that SBF could no longer work in the area. UNITA
requested information on the SBF employees, their ages and race as well
as the type of vehicles in their possession. According to SBF, local
populations walking along the road arrived in Chongoroi town naked and
with all their goods taken by bandits who are suspected of being UNITA
elements or demobilised personnel from the ex-FMU. From Chongoroi,
people are prevented from entering the area. A joint UCAH/SBF/WFP
mission escorted by MONUA TS met on 10 October with UNITA secretary in
Chimuine/Cui, Mr. Jose Lyahuka, who was very surprised and had sent the
previous day a team to the Bolonguera road to advise and guarantee that
SBF could resume its demining work on Monday, 13 October. On further
contacts with SBF, the situation in the area was calm. The
Normalisation of State Administration took place in Bolonguera on 16
October despite the absence of UNITA representatives.
Bolonguera, Benguela Province: on 23 October, 200 meters from Bolonguera
commune and 65 Km from Chongoroi town, an ambush against a convoy of two
cars SBF/MONUA TS led to the death of six persons, including two
expatriates from SBF, two ANP men, one member of the Bolonguera
Administration and an Angolan paramedic, while two MONUA CIVPOL officers
were wounded. According to the SBF supervisor, a joint MONUA TS/SBF team
went to Bolonguera to assist a seriously wounded villager following a
request made by the Chongoroi Deputy-Administrator for Defence who
informed the local MONUA TS. Upon arrival, the team discovered that it
was not an emergency as the man was slightly wounded. During their
return to Chongoroi around 12h30, they found the road blocked by tree
logs some 200 meters from the village and immediately some 20
well-trained men with AK rifles started firing shots from the left,
right and front. After looting everything from the two cars, the
attackers destroyed the radio communication systems and went to the
Bolonguera Administration, opened the warehouse and destroyed seed bags,
food and tools. As soon as the first gunshots were fired, 25 members of
ANP and the population fled from Bolonguera into the nearby bush to take
refuge. The incident is still under investigation.
Chongoroi, Benguela Province: on Monday 27 October, the SBF personnel
reported to MONUA about firing going on near their main camp in
Chongoroi, located some 100 meters from the town. Upon verification, it
was clarified that Policemen under the influence of alcohol were firing
at each other from opposite sides of the SBF camp.
Lobito/Bocoio road, Benguela Province: on 23 October, around 3 km from
the Lobito/Bocoio road junction, armed men ambushed a civilian car which
was returning from Lobito where it had collected a spare part for one of
the civilian trucks rented by WFP as part of a relief convoy and which
had broken down between Culango and Bocoio localities. As a result of
the ambush, the driver was killed. MONUA TS in Benguela is investigating
this incident while ANP authorities are also aware of the problem.
Lombe, Malange Province: on 15 October FAA reported the discovery of two
new landmines (on top of each other) some 500m outside Lombe on the road
to Calandula. After withdrawing the mines, they were destroyed in the
presence of MONUA staff. As a result, on 17 October UCAH/MONUA issued a
declaration to all UN/NGOs informing them of the discovery and that this
road was no longer considered safe.
Damba, Malange Province: on 16 October, a meeting was held in Caculama
during which local UNITA representatives insisted that the hospital
recently rehabilitated by NGOs with voluntary funding from the
international community, actually belongs to the UNITA party. Despite
the clarifications made by the local UCAH representative to the effect
that basic infrastructure rehabilitated or built with funds from the
international community are solely to alleviate the suffering of the
most vulnerable civilian populations, UNITA did not change its position.
The incident has been reported to UNITA and Government representatives
at the Joint Commission, the Troika, as well as the Swedish Ambassador
and the International NGO association (CONGA) who are now informed that
all NGO activities in the hospital will remain suspended until the issue
is resolved and UNITA agrees that the hospital is part of the national
public health structure.
Alfa 5: the WFP Director received a letter from the Director General of
the Chitotolo Project claiming that the actions taken by Alfa 5 were
fully justifiable and covered by articles 17, 18 and 19 of the Diamond
Law (Law 16/94). While WFP refuted this narrow interpretation of the
law, no changes have occurred on the ground as confirmed during the
visit of H.E. Minister Malungo to N'Zaji on 8 October. Even municipal
authorities stated that they are now being subject to the same type of
impediments imposed upon them by the concessionaire of the N'Zaji
diamond area.
MAIN CONCERNS
Human and Financial Resources: as stated previously, relief
organisations remain concerned with the present lack of funds essential
for humanitarian operations. No new pledges have been registered during
the reporting period for humanitarian assistance to IDPs, war-affected
persons or demobilised nation-wide. To date, 32 percent of the
requirements outlined in the 1997 Inter-Agency Appeal have been covered.
DEMOBILISATION AND REINTEGRATION:
Update on Demobilisation Statistics:
Total Registered Troops in SDCs and MWDCs 78,887
Total registered Troops in situ 5,282
Total Incorporated in FAA 10,933
Total personnel Already Demobilised in Angola: 38,497
- First UNITA Underage Soldiers 2,124
- First FAA Underage Soldiers 360
- Rapid Demobilisation 35,594
- Demobilisation in situ 419
Total Deserters: 25,611
Total Still to be demobilised from SDGs and MWDCs 4,357
Total Still to be demobilised in situ 4,863
Total SDCs and MWDCs already closed 14 SDCs and 3 MWDCs
Total SDCs and MWDCs still active 1 SDC and 4 MWDCs
This report is available on the internet through RELIEFWEB:
http://www.reliefweb.int
Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit (UCAH) - Luanda
Mr. Ramiro Lopes da Silva
Tel.: (244 2) 34 82 05 / 34 10 72
Fax: (244 2) 34 27 10
Inter-Agency Support Branch (IASB) Geneva
Mr. David Bassiouni - Chief
Ms. Shahwar Pataudi
Tel.: (41 22) 788.1403
Fax: (41 22) 788.6386
Registry E-Mail: Rosemary.Addo-Yirenkyi@dha.unicc.org
Complex Emergencies Division (CED) New York
Mr. Knut Buer
Tel.: (1 212) 963.4190
Fax: (1 212) 963.3630
E-Mail: buer@un.org
Press to contact (DHA-Geneva)
Ms. Madeleine Moulin-Acevedo
Tel.: (41 22) 917.2856
Fax: (41 22) 917.0023
Telex: 414242 DHA CH
E-Mail: Moulin-Acevedo@dha.unicc.org
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