United Nations HACU Angola - Humanitarian Response 26 March - 07 April 1999
NACOES UNIDAS UNIDADE DE COORDENACAO PARA A ASSISTENCIA HUMANITARIA (UCAH) UNITED NATIONS HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE COORDINATION UNIT (UCAH) Fax : (244-2) 342710 Telefone: (244-2) 344321/348205/341072 Fax: (1-212) 963-3011 (Ext.4523) Fax: (1-212) 963-3011 (Ext. 4523) Av.Comandante Valodia 206-5? Andar Luanda - Angola General Situation The security situation has deteriorated throughout the country over the last month with a significant increase in the number of ambushes, mine incidents, and attacks on civilian convoys and vehicles. These incidents have resulted in a number of deaths, in juries, looting and destruction of property. Indeed, the continued conflict bulged the new IDP figures to 780,000 (e.g. an estimated total of 1,5 million IDPs in Angola). Almost all roads throughout the country are now considered insecure and dangerous. The cities of Kuito and Malange have continued to be shelled intermittently over this period with a resulting number of deaths and injuries. Access to Kuito remains cut and it is only possible to arrive in Malange by road and at great peril of attack. In the North, an intensification of military activities in Uige province has been noted, especially in the northeast of the province, increasing the number of civilian population being forced to flee. In the meantime, skirmishes between FAA and UNITA rebels at 64 km east of Luena led to a new influx of population in early April to the provincial capital of Moxico. During the reporting period, the Angolan Government engaged itself in various bilateral diplomatic contacts aiming at getting further international support. In this context, General Koffi Obeng visited External Relations Minister Joao Miranda. The future presence of UN in the country; the technical liquidation of MONUA; and the prevailing political-military situation in the country were discussed, as well as the humanitarian crisis. The Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, made a two days official visit to Angola (6-7 April) delivering a special message from newly elected President Olusengu Obasanjo to President dos Santos. On 7 April, three Heads of State (Zimbabwe, DRC and Namibia) were expected in Luanda to hold a quadripartite summit scheduled to analyse the political-military situation in the region. Humanitarian situation The humanitarian situation in Angola has continued to deteriorate during the past weeks. Displaced people have continued to move to cities and humanitarian agencies are extremely concerned at the impact that these populations are having on resident ones a lready facing considerable difficulties. The number of new confirmed IDPs has now risen to over 780,000, mainly concentrated in provincial capitals. With the participation of the Government, UN Agencies and donors, the Humanitarian Coordination Group met in Luanda on 30 March to consider the evolution of the humanitarian situation since the start of the year. Among the conclusions reached, it was mad e clear that the humanitarian situation had deteriorated significantly and that there was a significant increase in the number of displaced people. It was noted the existence of bottlenecks being encountered in the delivery of humanitarian assistance by I nternational organisations owing to security and logistical difficulties, in particular lack of financing for air delivery of food and non-food items. It was also highlighted that humanitarian assistance should reach all Angolans in need. The relocation o f IDPs in suitable agricultural land and the provision of assistance such as seeds and tools were emphasised as a priority of the strategy for the settlement of displaced people. This would lessen the burden on humanitarian assistance permitting IDPs to restart their lives and become self-sufficient in conditions of dignity. The Minister of Health, present at the meeting, called the attention to an epidemic outbreak since mid-March in Luanda province, identified as Acute Flaccid Paralysis. By then, less than 30 cases were registered, while current numbers mount to more than 1 30 cases. (Please see last page for more details). In the meeting, Italy announced that it was preparing a substantial contribution to humanitarian assistance in Angola amounting to a total of US $12.5 million that included humanitarian de-mining, food and humanitarian aid, plus US$2.5 million for the Con solidated Appeal. China informed the members of the group that it was disbursing various aid materials in the value of US $600,000, plus US $3.5 million in other unspecified assistance. France indicated that it was giving food aid and assistance to the NGO MSF and to WHO for a cholera survey and to FAO for projects in seed multiplication for IDPs. Humanitarian Assistance In Moxico province, clashes between FAA and UNITA rebels occurred early April in Leua area leading to a new influx of population to Luena, the provincial capital. The registration of these new IDPs is still ongoing. MINARS representatives have indicated an estimation of more than 5,000. As of 6 April, the new IDP population arriving in Luena was growing at a rate of 600 per day, but it is expected this number to sl ow, as fighting around Leua town calmed down. IMC in Luena estimated an average of 2/3 of children among this new IDP population. Last week, UNICEF Emergency supplies were transported to Luena by WFP. These items will be distributed through MINARS and NGO LWF in the coming weeks. 50 trainee teachers were training in Luena by UNICEF and school material was distributed. Two health kits were provided for IDPs from Camanongue, and a small quantity of non-food supplies including wheelbarrows were provided for a number of IDP centres around the town of Luena. UNICEF still provided BP5 therapeutic milk to MSF-B for malnourished children. In Kuito, capital of Bie province, the humanitarian food assistance continues to be restricted to the most vulnerable due to the limited stocks available in town, that under the current circumstances cannot be re-supplied. A nutritional and therapeutic NG O project still continues as well as the distribution of non-food items to the population in need. In Huambo, WFP reports serious shortages of food, particularly CSB. A report of a recent WFP Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping (VAM) mission will be soon released. This mission aimed at investigating the food situation of both the residents of the city and the IDPs. The NGOs Molisv, OIKOS, Concern, ADRA-I and GAC have continued WFP food distribution to IDPs, whereas Concern, SCF-UK, the Catholic Church and MINARS have continued distribution to vulnerable groups. ICRC has been distributing non-food it ems to IDPs at the Catholic Mission of Kuando and Medecins Sans Frontieres, with WFP food assistance, established in Caala a successful paediatric centre for malnourished and sick children. On its side, UNICEF provided soap, BP5, fish conserves, blankets, mason and carpentry kits to the NGO CBA for distribution to more than 150 inmates at the provincial penitentiary. A three day Nutritional seminar for health workers supported by UNICEF took place at the training 32 participants. SCF-UK received BP5, dried fish, fish conserves, dried milk, Vitamin A tablets benefiting 1,500 malnourished children. SCF-UK also received soupspoons and jars for a new nutritional centre for 500 children. CONCERN received BP5, dried fish, fish conserves, dried milk, Vitamin. A tablets benefiting 430 malnourished children; NGO CIC also received the same package for malnourished children in U kuma and surrounding areas. The paedriatic clinic at Huambo hospital Central received BP5, fish conserves, Vitamin A through ADRA-I. to benefit 98 seriously malnourished children. Huambo EPI received 40,000 syringes 5ml,40,000 auto-destruction syringes, 10,000 BCG syringes, 8 rolls hydrophilic cotton, 2,000 card for registration of pregnant women, 10,000 cards for registration of infants, 300 units incinerators which will enable 14 health posts to deliver vaccination services. Didactic education material was distributed to 1,250 pupils from Chipipa, Tchicala-Tcholoanga and Katchiungo. In Zaire province, a UN security mission visited MBanza Congo in the beginning of April, deciding then that conditions were created to resume granting security clearances to humanitarian staff working there. A UN Inter-Agency Mission has been planned for 8 April to investigate the possibility of re-starting operations in that town. In Uige, after the reopening of the airport of Negage in March, WFP was able to airlift 51 MT of food. Distribution of food for the month of March was completed on 26 March. Besides the regular distribution through NGO DRC, WFP is in process of distribu ting food aid to vulnerable groups at the hospital, elderly centre and orphanage. Due to the security restrictions imposed, the NGO CCF is re-designing its projects focusing war traumatised children by also targeting teenage beneficiaries, while CARITAS a nd Red Barnett are engaged in different projects with MINARS. It should be stressed that UNICEF, DRC, Caritas and CVA stocks are already low or non-existent. These organisations should be swiftly re-supplied, the sooner the better, as a new influx of IDPs to Uige town or MBanza Congo could occur at any time. However, UNICEF was able to offer some school supplies (chalkboards, chalk and paint) to two different schools in this province. Transport of food from Luanda to Malange continues to be made by road. Since the repair of the wooden bridge on 2 March, 1,783 MT of WFP food have been received in the city as of 26 March. However, the deteriorating security situation around Malange has often disturbed food distribution. WFP is extremely concerned about its ability to continue its operations there, which is only possible with the continued partnership of OIKOS, ADRA Angolana and Caritas. Security considerations led World Vision to close down operations in Malange. UNICEF continued its EPI campaign inside the town and distributed BP5 to the intensive care at the paediatric hospital. In Bengo province, the number of attacks to small villages and looting of crops has increased during the reporting period. MINARS is in the process of registering an estimated 600 new IDPs who have fled to Calomboloca (70 km east of Luanda) in early April . International Humanitarian Agencies and NGOs are already helping with food, shelters and health assistance, while the Government is currently seeking a suitable area to temporarily settle them. WFP is presently working to provide assistance to IDPs gath ering around Catete whose number raised from 300 to 600 last week. Besides these facts, MINARS in Kuanza Norte province reported new IDPs (total of around 900 families) coming from Gonguembo, Banga and Bula Atumba (Bengo province), and from Calulo, Kwanza Sul province. According to the same sources, the latter are showi ng signs of malnutrition and need of immediate humanitarian assistance. WVI already included them in the food distribution and NPA will distribute non-food aid provided by ECHO. In the Southern province of Huila, the new IDP population increased in Caconda and Caluquembe, and the number amounted to a total of more than 30,000 only in these two places. In Quipungo, where an estimate of 39,498 IDP exists, food distribution started with the assistance of NRC. In Menonge, provincial capital of Kuando Kubango, the situation continues to deteriorate, but humanitarian international and national organizations such as INTERSOS, TFD (Trabalho, Familia e Desenvolvimento), Caritas, and Union of Evangelic Churches, are targeting the most vulnerable through WFP and ECHO assets. Epidemic Outbreak of Acute Flaccid Paralysis An epidemic identified as Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) emerged in Luanda province since mid March. At the time of this report the National Public Health Directorate has already announced more than 100 cases, among which 4 registered casualties. WHO, UNICEF and European Union are actively helping the Angolan authorities in controlling this epidemic. A national commission has already been created. WHO experts are expected any moment to arrive in Luanda from Geneva, in order to monitor the situation, while its regional bureau in Zimbabwe has already sent an epidemiologist to Luanda. NGOs with projects in Luanda have been requested to fully assist th e Government in halting this epidemic outbreak and various sub-committees have already been set-up to monitor both the epidemics and the control measures. A UNICEF monitored emergency EPI campaign continues in Luanda. Over the last two weeks, 69,127 child ren under five were vaccinated against measles, 64,723 against polio, 54,255 child bearing age women were vaccinated against tetanus, while 38,000 capsules of Vitamin A supplement were provided. Children between 1 and 4 years old, coming from all the municipalities of Luanda, are the main victims of AFP with an estimation of up 64% of cases. The most affected area is Sambizanga municipality, while the one with fewer cases so far is Rangel. Howeve r, a few sick children coming from Bengo province have already been treated in Luanda. People with low coverage of routine polio immunisation, living in poor sanitation environment and in overcrowded housing conditions, are mostly likeable to be affected. In this sense, a special attention is being given to this issue by MINARS, taking into consideration the growing flux and concentration of IDPs in the capital of the country. The causes of this outbreak are being studied in South Africa, where the Angolan health authorities sent samples. Preliminary reports confirm the existence of an unidentified virus. Three main public hospitals in Luanda have been prepared to receive AFP p atients. Among other control measures, its should be highlighted a scheduled massive immunisation campaign against polio in Luanda and Caxito (Bengo province) and the treatment of drinking water to be supplied by mobile tankers to the various municipalities. UCAH/OCHA 1 Prepared by UCAH Information Unit This Publication is also available on the Relief Web at http://www.reliefweb.int [This item is delivered in the "irin-extra" service of the UN's IRIN humanitarian information unit, but may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations. For further information or free subscriptions, or 2 622129 Web: http://www.reliefweb.int. If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post this item, please retain this credit and disclaimer.] distributed by - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Volunteers in Technical Assistance sitreps nat-dsr web: www.vita.org appeal fireline - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -