Angola - OCHA: 03-12.Jun.98
Angola - OCHA: 03-12.Jun.98
HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN ANGOLA
Period covered: 3 - 12 June 1998
The information contained in this report was provided by the
United Nations Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit in Luanda (UCAH)
GENERAL SITUATION
During the reporting period, the security situation has deteriorated
significantly as has been recognised by the President of Angola who told the
press that the 'political-military situation is serious.' The President
promised to take measures (it should be understood as political and military
measures) if by the end of June the Lusaka Protocol is not concluded. The
Foreign Minister organised a meeting with the Diplomatic Corps where the
Ambassadors were told by a relevant FAA officer that UNITA has around
25,000-30,000 well-equipped troops over the country. Meanwhile, Maotre Beye
returned from New York where he briefed the Security Council on the status of
his Crisis Resolution Plan. The Security Council issued its latest
application of an additional package of sanctions on UNITA by 25 June if no
further progress is registered in the peace process.
The socio-economic situation is also getting more difficult for the majority
of Angolans with the local currency being devaluated day after day in the
black market although officially it remains unrealistically low.
These developments have created an extremely difficult environment in which
to assist vulnerable populations. Areas of particular concern include Uige,
Kwanza Norte, Huambo, Bie, and most recently Luau in Moxico Province. All
humanitarian operations were suspended in Maquela do Zombo (Uige) after
health posts were sacked in Beu, Sacandica, and Cuilo Futa, after UNITA
residual troops systematically attacked villages closer and closer to the
city centre, and after attacks and arrests of supposed UNITA supporters by
ANP. The area is very tense and considered off-limits to aid workers.
All humanitarian activities are also suspended in northern Kwanza Norte
Province after separate attacks by both ANP and unknown gunmen in Quiculungo
and Samba Lucala. World Vision International and MSF-France have been
evacuated. The Quibaxe area is also extremely tense after the killing of
UNITA leaders bu ANP and attacks in Coxe, Paredes, and Fazenda Alcanede. The
NGO InterSOS continues emergency assistance in the area, while the MONUA
teamsite has been reinforced with armed Blue Helmets and UN tanks. Following
reports of an attack on 14 June at Piri allegedly by residual UNITA troops,
preparations are underway for a joint MONUA, Government, UNITA mission to
this location.
Random incidents on roads previously considered safe (Matala - Menongue in
Huila Province, Kuito -Menongue in Bie Province, and Quibala - Londuimbale in
Kwanza Sul Province) are also worrisome for UN Agencies and NGOs. On 10 June,
unconfirmed attacks in the Luau area (Moxico) raised tensions and
humanitarian actors and resulted in the evacuation on 14 June of humanitarian
personnel and MONUA staff.
In addition, reports from the field indicate that, in the no9rthern region,
UNITA residual troops and supporters feel isolated and abandoned by senior
UNITA command structure. After waiting over one year for a clarification of
their role and for possible demobilisation, and after increasing harassment
and attacks on them by ANP, these forces are responding in coordinated and
systematic attacks against areas where State administration was recently
extended. NGOs are the target of these attacks only when they have supplies
-particularly medical supplies- that can be used in support of a military
campaign. This situation is made mo9re volatile by the total absence of
UNITA political structures in the area (party secretaries and liaison
officers have disappeared into the bush or been harassed or killed in
Government areas).
SECURITY OVERVIEW
There has been a dramatic increase of violence throughout most of the
provinces during this reporting period, in particular:
Uige Province
An attack on 8 June by armed men in Quibocolo commune, on the road
Damba-Maquela do Zombo, in Uige Province, has been confirmed by NRC vehicle
on way to Maquela. There were no casualties by the health post rehabilitated
by IMC was looted.
On 10 June, a UNHCR driver was stopped on the road between Maquela do Zombo
and Taia by the soba of a village where the same day UNITA residual forces
(URF) abducted four girls and two boys and proceeded towards Taia. The driver
who was going to Taia to collect his family for evacuation had to return to
Maquela do Zombo.
On 4 June, in Maquela do Zombo, a MSF-F local nurse in pregnant state was
severely beaten and harassed by ANP at the market. Several harassments
against MSF-F and NRC local staff by ANP were registered in this town during
the last two months. UCAH has already informed the provincial authorities of
these incidents.
On 4 June, in Negage, an attempt to loot the MdM base by unknown persons was
not successful thanks to the MdM guards who called MONUA and ANP for
intervention. After the guard indicated that policemen may have been
involved in the attack (attackers wearing uniforms) he was himself arrested.
Bengo Province
Quibaxe: On 10 June, NGOs reported that at 7-8 km from Quibaxe on the road
towards Coxe, there were clashes between FAA and URF where mortar explosions
were heard and injured persons have arrived at the Quibaxe hospital. Two
persons were injured at about 2 km from the centre of the town following
clashes, but it is not yet clear who were the protagonists. A drunk ANP
member threw a grenade into a house killing himself and injuring two persons.
A FAA truck hit an AT mine near the airstrip just on the outskirts of the
town frequently used. There were no injuries.
Huila Province
SBF reported that on 4 June, on the main Matala-Kuvango road between Dongo
and Cului, a private truck was ambushed by armed men killing six persons and
injuring other 16 who are in Matala hospital. On the same day, CARE informed
of an attack in Capala, Caluquembe municipality, where four people were
killed and some cattle stolen by armed men.
GENERAL HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
The deteriorated security situation is leading to the evacuation of NGO
personnel from locations in the Provinces of Uige and Kwanza Norte as well as
increased IDPs. The number of new IDPs being confirmed by humanitarian
organisations has raised to 25,465 while reported cases are estimated at some
100,000 new IDPs nationwide, as a result of the current tense situation on
the ground. In this context, humanitarian operators are limiting road travel
and suspending or restricting non-emergency activities in some municipalities
of the provinces of Uige, Kwanza Norte, Benguela, Huila, huambo, Lunda Norte,
Lunda Sul, Uige, Bengo an Malange.
However, during the reporting period, humanitarian organisations carried out
assessment missions in:
Mbanza Kongo, Zaire Province: On 8 June, a joint mission to Mbanza Kongo
composed of MINARS, UCAH, UNICEF, UNHCR, WFP, ECHO, GTZ, MSF-H and OADEC to
assess the situation of new IDPs from Bembe municipality (Uige Province), was
told that at least 352 persons have arrived from Bembe since early May but
some of them have already moved to N'Zeto and Luanda. Recently MINARS
registered 225 remaining IDPs most of whom also intend to move to N'Zeto,
Luanda or Uige town.
Caluquembe, Huila Province: A joint WFP/CARE/MSF-S assessment mission on 4
June confirmed the presence of 4,629 new IDPs in Caluquembe town and 319 in
Vila Branca, all of them from Chicuma area, in Benguela Province. The Mission
noted the need of urgent humanitarian assistance to these populations.
Unfortunately, due the detention of a MONUA convoy from Namibia in Lubango
town by the provincial authority since Monday 8 June, MONUA RHQ is not able
to provide timely an armed escort for a WFP convoy to Caluquembe in order to
assist the IDPs.
Ganda, Benguela Province: A joint MINARS, UCAH, ACF, OXFAM, SCF-UK, CVA and
Okutiuka assessment mission, is underway from 10-12 June in Ganda to evaluate
basic conditions of IDPs. This mission will also conduct a nutritional
survey.
STATUS OF APPEAL AND EMERGENCY REQUIREMENTS
As of 11 May the funding response to the 1998 Appeal is officially 21 percent
of the total requirements. However, UN Agencies in Angola have reported
pledges estimated at USD 10 million which would bring the total response to
about 30 percent.
The priority requirements remain: UNHCR (USD 11 million), IOM (USD 3.4
million), WFP (USD 5.8 million), UNICEF (USD 1.6 million).
This report is available on the internet through RELIEFWEB:
http://www.reliefweb.int
Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit (UCAH) - Luanda
Mr. Francesco Strippoli
Tel.: (244 2) 39 77 74/39 35 43
Satelite Fax: (00873) 38 50 50 914
Complex Emergency Response /
Consolidated Appeal Process (CER/CAP) - Geneva
Mr. Ernest Chipman - Chief
Mr. Ayodele Fowler
Tel.: (41 22) 788.1406
Fax: (41 22) 788.6386
Registry E-Mail: Abu.Conteh@dha.unicc.org
Complex Emergencies Division (CED)-New York
Ms. Agnes Asekenye-Oonyu
Tel.: (1 212) 963.1773
Fax: (1 212) 963.1388
E-Mail: buer@un.org
Information Service
Ms. Therese Gastaut - Director
Tel.: (41 22) 917.2300
Fax: (41 22) 917.0030
E-Mail: tgastaut@unog.ch
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