Angola - OCHA: 16-23.Oct.98
Angola - OCHA: 16-23.Oct.98
HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN ANGOLA
Period covered: 16-23 October 1998
The information contained in this report was provided by the
United Nations Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit in Luanda (UCAH)
GENERAL SITUATION
At the end of its delegates Conference, the Provisory Political Committee
of UNITA issued a communique informing about its decision to extend the
mandate of the Party s parliamentary group. Consequently, the majority of
the UNITA deputies participated on 20 October in the opening of the new
session of the National Assembly. The Party delegates Conference further
recommended resuming the mechanisms established to support demobilisation
and -going back to the principle of comprehensive inclusion of the
demobilised into FAA.-
The Security Council resolution of 15 October, which extended the mandate
of MONUA until 3 December expressed deep concern at the continued
deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Angola. The resolution
noted, in particular, the significant increase in the number of internally
displaced people and the lack of access by humanitarian organisations to
vulnerable groups. The resolution stresses the respect for human rights,
including the full protection of all Angolan citizens throughout the
national territory. It also demands that the Government of Angola and UNITA
guarantee the safety and freedom of movement of all UN and international
humanitarian personnel, throughout the territory of Angola.
Although the military situation in the country has remained stable over the
past week, persisting insecurity continues to limit the safe access of
humanitarian actors to needy populations
GENERAL HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
In view of the continued precarious security situation described above, the
humanitarian community is taking precautionary measures to avoid further
deterioration of the humanitarian situation. However, and as access remains
impeded to many areas of the country, an extensive monitoring of the
humanitarian situation cannot be carried out.
The UCAH Field Coordination Unit analysed the present situation of the
humanitarian coordination activities in a meeting held in Luanda with all
its nine field advisers between 16-17 October. Again, insecurity and
limited access were found as principal hinders in implementing humanitarian
activities.
Despite the existing impasses, the humanitarian community shows determined
strength to respond to the needs of vulnerable groups when security so
permits. At the end of last week, an IDP camp in Caxito, Bengo Province,
caught fire, burning down 650 houses and leaving over 3,000 people without
shelter. A rapid intervention by humanitarian organisations permitted the
situation to be quickly addressed. UCAH assessed the immediate needs and
mobilised the resources, both human and material, for meeting them. UNHCR,
INTERSOS and COSV immediately started distributing non-food items. To
hasten the emergency response, the NGOs purchased some of the items with
their own funding. WFP delivered one month s food rations, while the
Provincial Government together with INTERSOS identified another area for
new settlement of these populations. In this new area, arable land will be
made available near by in order to reduce long-term dependency on food
assistance.
The humanitarian situation in N Dalatando, Kwanza Norte Province, was
assessed between 14-15 October by UCAH, WFP and UNICEF. The registration of
the IDPs was done in June when the displacement started in that area. At
that time there were records of 10,000 new IDPs. Today, the number is
increased from that, due to repeated attacks in the region. Most of the
displaced people have found shelter among the residents, or are
accommodated in abandoned buildings. The NGOs operating in the area are now
identifying the most vulnerable ones to be assisted mainly with non-food
items. According to the local authorities the humanitarian conditions,
especially that of the IDPs, are worse in the northern part of the
province, which remains inaccessible for security reasons. The humanitarian
community is now working on an alternative plan for assessing, and possibly
assisting, the vulnerable groups in the northern part of the Province.
A joint UCAH, OISC, CIC and MOLISV assessment mission to Tchinjenje (Huambo
province), the first since July, was carried out on 20 October to identify
the present needs. While it was found that there was need for health and
nutrition assistance, it was felt that, at present food assistance was not
necessary. The mission recommended that the cases of malnutrition could be
quickly and efficiently dealt with if PICs (Communitary Infant Programmes)
were established and if the health post could start functioning regularly,
as CIC has been successfully doing in Ukuma. It was also proposed that
arable land, along with seeds and tools be distributed to encourage
self-sufficiency. Food distribution should only be carried out to confirmed
vulnerable groups and as food-for-work.
On 22 October, a Delegation of ASDI, Swedish Government, visited Malanje to
follow up the output of the support provided by Sweden. Presently, the
health resources are being depleted in Malanje due to the massive pressure
of the urban population. The health posts in the city are reporting over
100 percent increase of medical consults. UNICEF, the Ministry of Health
and NGOs, are working on a plan for better supply of drugs and equipment
and preparing a nutrition survey.
On 19 October, UCAH together with MINARS/UTCAH (Technical Unit for
Coordination of Humanitarian assistance) started training Provincial
Humanitarian Coordinators as part of the UN Capacity Building Programme for
Angolan Government. During this one-month course, UCAH will transfer its
theoretical professional know-how. Thereafter, the 18 candidates will learn
humanitarian coordination duties in practice side by side with the UCAH
Field Advisors in the provinces.
STATUS OF THE INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE
BASIC FACTS
Reported number of new IDPs since January 1998 379,680
Confirmed number of new IDPs since January 1998 263,544
Number of new IDPs assisted 173,310
CONFIRMED NEW IDPs IN THE MOST AFFECTED PROVINCES
Malanje 52,488
Huambo 40,778
Bengo 28,909
Huila 26,474
Kuanza Norte 24,375
Uige 16,696
Zaire 14,285
Benguela 12,685
Bie 12,373
Moxico 10,905
This report is available on the internet through RELIEFWEB:
http://www.reliefweb.int
Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit (UCAH) - Luanda
Mr. Fernando Costa Ferreira
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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