Angola - OCHA: 08-14.Oct.98
Angola - OCHA: 08-14.Oct.98
HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN ANGOLA
Period covered: 08-14 October 1998
The information contained in this report was provided by the
United Nations Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit in Luanda (UCAH)
GENERAL SITUATION
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General continued his
consultations with various actors involved in the Angolan peace process
with a view to resolving the present political deadlock. Despite the
political demarches, military movements persist on the ground. The
situation is especially tense in the north and northeast as well as some
central regions. To ensure satisfactory means to respond to anticipated
needs of Angolan society, in particular the most vulnerable groups, UN
Agencies have started elaborating their Consolidated Inter-agency Appeal
for 1999.
Numerous reports on military activities continued to be broadcast on
official and unofficial media, and were also reported by humanitarian
workers in the field.
The Security Council adopted on 15 October a resolution on Angola extending
the mandate of MONUA until 3 December 1998 and urging UNITA to take
advantage of this period to secure a legitimate and constructive role in
the Angolan political process. It also urged both parties to cooperate
fully with SRSG Diallo, including -facilitation of his contacts with all
those key to the peace process.- The resolution also asked the Government
and UNITA to -guarantee unconditionally the safety and freedom of movement
of the SRSG and all UN and international humanitarian personnel, including
those providing humanitarian assistance, throughout the territory of
Angola.
GENERAL HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
Inevitably, the political-military impasse affects the humanitarian
situation. The security situation is deteriorating further and causing an
increasing number of displaced people. The rainy season and its most common
consequences, epidemics and malnutrition, easily affect IDPs as well as
other vulnerable groups. Furthermore, the IDPs normally find their safe
havens in urban areas, where there isn?t much arable land available to
ensure basic food security. A long-term consequence might be a nation wide
food shortfall.
Since the most serious military activities have taken place in Uige and
Malanje provinces, the humanitarian situation in these areas is of a
particular concern. Increased insecurity in Uiige resulting from recurring
attacks and acts of banditry has resulted in a new displacement of
approximately 2,000 people from Sanza Pombo over the last week. Still, more
IDPs are arriving from Quitexe, and Bungo where fighting has occurred. The
total of new IDPs in Uiige City is presently well over 12,000. Up to now,
the majority of the displaced populations has found shelter among their
relatives and friends. The increase in the urban population is putting a
strain on the resources of communal services and causing some social
tension. Despite several NGOs working to reinforce the public health
system, most of the facilities lack equipment and regular medical supplies
and cannot attend to all the needs in Uiige city. At this time of year,
when malaria and diarrhea are expanding widely, more efforts need to be
made to address the overall strain on the health structures. As in other
places, patients seeking treatment in Government facilities still have to
buy medicines in the market at exorbitant prices. The situation is similar
in Nzaji, Lunda Norte province, Matala, Huila province, Saurimo, Lunda Sul
Province and N?Dalatando, Kwanza Norte province.
Prevailing insecurity in the periphery of Malanje City has caused a new
movement of IDPs, previously in the reinstallation areas, back to the urban
area. Earlier, the Provincial Government denied the distribution of
humanitarian assistance in the city, trying to encourage the displaced
population to move to the reinstallation areas where they would be provided
with assistance and arable land. During the past week, the IDPs in the city
staged protests outside Government offices demanding assistance.
Subsequently, the provincial Government advised the humanitarian
organisations to distribute food rations of one month to approximately
26,000 IDPs in Malanje City. Negotiations to relocate some of the IDPs to
camps in safer areas continue between Government authorities, NGOs and the
UN.
In Uige, Zaire and Huambo Provinces, the Government, in collaboration with
UCAH and the NGOs, is trying to identify resettlement areas within a safety
perimeter and close to arable land to resettle some of the IDPs. The main
objectives of this policy are to keep great numbers of IDPs from coming
into city centres with all the negative impact that would have on already
frail infrastructure, and to ensure a sustainable environment where IDPs
are able to grow their own food.
STATUS OF THE INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE
BASIC FACTS
Reported number of new IDPs since January 1998 363,046
Confirmed number of new IDPs since January 1998 263,544
Number of new IDPs assisted 175,459
CONFIRMED NEW IDPs IN THE MOST AFFECTED PROVINCES
Malanje 52,488
Huambo 40,778
Bengo 28,907
Huiila 26,474
Kuanza Norte 24,375
Zaire 14,285
Benguela 12,685
Bie 12,373
Uiige 11,347
Moxico 10,905
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) 34.43.21/34.82.05
Satelite Fax: (1-212) 963.3011 (Ext. 341)
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: Annette.Choquet@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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