Angola
Angola currently has one of the worst humanitarian outlooks in the world. The country has been suffering from a protracted conflict between the government and forces of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), that has gone on for almost 30 years. The conflict has resulted in the massive displacement of population, largely as a result of direct tactics on behalf of both the government and UNITA. The continued displacement and the acute insecurity in most of the country has systematically prevented people from accessing their land and being able to practice farming. The situation has been further exacerbated by the collapse of the economy in many areas and the abysmal state of the infrastructure. The result has been a great degree of vulnerability and catastrophic humanitarian conditions.
The situation in Angola took a dramatic turn in February 2002 with the death of the UNITA leader, Jonas Savimbi. With the death of Savimbi, UNITA appear to have lost the will to continue the conflict and a cease fire was duly announced, unilaterally, by both UNITA and the government in March 2002 and a Memorandum of Understanding agreement signed in April 2002. The MOU called for the full implementation of the Lusaka peace accords of 1994, which made provision for the full demobilisation and reintegration of UNITA soldiers, originally estimated to number around 50,000 with a further 300,000 family dependants. The peace agreement appears to be holding and critically has allowed access to the huge areas of the country that had been totally inaccessible to the humanitarian community, which has revealed the true extent of the extraordinarily serious humanitarian disaster in the country.
The humanitarian situation
The sudden peace process and the cessation of violence between the warring parties has brought about unprecedented changes to the Angolan context. Until 1 April 2002, 80 % of the country was totally inaccessible to humanitarian agencies and, as new areas become accessible and are investigated, the full extent of the humanitarian crisis is becoming apparent. It is estimated that over 4.3 million people from a total population of approximately 12 million, are displaced, with 1,340,000 being officially registered in various camps around the country. The case load of IDPs grew significantly in the months leading up to the April peace agreement and UNOCHA estimate that between November 2001 and March 2002, 50,000 people were displaced a month (UNOCHA 18/06/02). The humanitarian community was serving the emergency needs of around 1.9 million people at the time of the peace agreement in April 2002 and this number has grown considerably since April, with current UN estimates indicating that there are now 3 million people being targeted for assistance, or about one quarter of the country’s population (UNSC 17/07/02).
A key feature of the current situation is the emergence of particular groups of vulnerable people. The first is the old case load of IDPs that are located in the areas formerly accessible to humanitarian agencies, many of them in and directly around provincial capitals. Many of these are long term IDPs and many, although largely dependant on aid, have established a variety of coping mechanisms. The second group is those, largely IDPs, who live in the newly accessible areas. The reporting period has seen major efforts to reach these new areas and there are confirmed reports of up-wards of 800,000 highly vulnerable people in these areas. Rapid assessments have shown that the humanitarian situation is critical, with the most affected areas being those with the worst history of insecurity and where agricultural fields were destroyed during military operations. This resulted in large amounts of people being in a desperately impoverished condition and suffering from desperately poor food insecurity (UNOCHA 18/06/02). The third group with critical needs is the demobilised UNITA soldiers and their family attendants, which number 82,185 and 220,264 people respectively (USAID 12/06/02). The official policy regarding the UNITA troops and their families has been to quarter them in 34 Family Reception Areas (FRAs) locate throughout the country. The condition of many of the UNITA in the camps is extremely poor as they have been living for years deep in the country and have suffered from the effects of the sanctions imposed on UNITA by the international community. Despite promises by the Angolan government that they had the capacity to address the needs of those demobilising, the response appears to have been slow and woefully inadequate. Concern has been expressed that without urgent assistance the ex soldiers will tire of waiting and return to their weapons once more as a way of obtaining desperately needed food (UNOCHA 19/07/02). The fourth group consists of returning refugees and IDPs who have and will chose to permanently resettle or go back to their areas of origin. UNOCHA estimates that up to 500,000 IDPs and 80,000 refugees could resettle or return by the end of this year (UNOCHA 18/06/02; 24/06/02). Returns are likely to increase substantially in the future as areas become suitable for returns to take place. This will decrease the case load, which is nevertheless likely to remain high for the immediate future.
With increased access to areas, the humanitarian community has been able to conduct more and more assessments in the newly opened areas and it is becoming clear that the situation is extremely serious in many areas. Some of the worst affected areas identified thus far are Bie, Huambo, Huila, Kuando Kubango, Kuanza Norte, Lunda Sul and Uige Provinces (UNOCHA 24/06/02). Assessments have routinely shown that people are arriving in distribution centres in desperately poor condition after literally years without sufficient access to adequate food or health services. As a result levels of malnutrition and mortality rates have been found to be significantly above established emergency thresholds and indicative of a truly desperate situation. The needs, particularly of the newly accessible populations, have been found to be critical and people are dying in large numbers.
The ability of the humanitarian community to address the critical needs is still constrained by a mixture of factors. The security situation is hugely improved as a result of the cease fire and the demobilisation of UNITA troops suggests that a return to war is not likely. However, much of the country remains very heavily mined and this continues to have an impact on humanitarian assistance by leaving large areas insecure. The provinces of Bie, Huila, Huambo, Lunda Sul, Bengo, Kuando Kubango and Kwanza Norte are particularly badly effected. The mine threat is hampering attempts to move aid around the country to areas with high needs. The 30 year war has also rendered the road and transportation network largely impassable, leaving 40-50 % of all humanitarian assistance efforts relying on air transport. However, the poor state of many of the airstrips has limited the size and number of aircraft that can use them (USAID 12/06/02). This is having the effect of greatly increasing the cost of delivering aid to much of the country.
Given the current severity of the situation, the increase in beneficiary numbers and the greatly increased humanitarian needs, it is alarming to note that the UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal (CAP) has so far met with a very poor response from the international donor community, despite the emergency having been branded as the worst crisis in the world at present. As of 1 July 2002, only one third of the CAP target of 232,768,666 US dollars had been met. WFP have also announced on 19 July 2002 that they had received less than 10 % of their required budget and are facing critical pipeline breaks in December. This is extremely concerning and is likely to result in the reduction of rations to vulnerable populations that are in dire need of assistance.
Bie Province
The situation in Bie province continues to be extremely critical. The number of displaced in the established centres of Kuito and Camacupa is close to 200,000 people and IDP numbers continue to increase. WFP announced that another 19,000 people arrived in Camacupa, Kuito and Kunhinga at the beginning of May 2002 (WFP 03/03/02). Many of the new arrivals are reported to be in extremely poor condition and MSF have opened up another Therapeutic Feeding Centre (TFC) in response (WFP 10/05/02). Rates of malnutrition in the camps are reported to be high but stable as a result of the great humanitarian response. However, it is concerning to note that there are reports of another outbreak of pellagra, a deficiency of niacin. The area has suffered pellagra outbreaks for the past few years, which is highly indicative of the poor quality diet that is being consumed by IDPs. Pellagra is associated with increased morbidity, and ultimately mortality, and an improvement to the general ration is urgently required.
The peace agreement has allowed humanitarian agencies to access other areas in the province and assessments have revealed very acute needs. MSF conducted a rapid assessment in Chitembo and Cuemba that revealed a prevalence of acute malnutrition that was significantly above emergency thresholds and rates of mortality that were up to 3 times higher than emergency thresholds. The assessments resulted in the initial transportation of more than 45 malnourished children to TFCs in Kuito and concluded that the humanitarian community was a year too late (MSF 14/06/02). Other areas of concern are Gamba, M’Dele and Nharea, where assessments have indicated very serious situations. Bie also has a UNITA FRA at Ndele and assessments have indicated that the number of cases of malnutrition is on the rise, even after the arrival of emergency aid (UNOCHA 02/07/02). The number of returnees has also increased as a result of the improved situation and WFP has reported that 19,500 have returned to Cuemba, with a further 10,000 returning home from Kuito and Camacup (WFP 21/06/02). Despite the increased access to areas in Bie, the security situation remains precarious, as was highlighted by the recent detonation of a mine by a WFP truck on the road from Kuito to Ndele. The road has subsequently been closed for further assessment but this incident indicates the dangers still present in the area. The RNIS has not received any recent full survey reports but rapid assessments continue to indicate that the overall situation is extremely precarious.
Benguela Province
The situation in Benguela remains mixed. Humanitarian agencies have remained active in areas with long standing IDP populations but the delivery of aid has been difficult as a result of poor roads and the destruction of important bridges, such as that over the river Cavaco, which links Lobito to the main town of Benguela. The good security of the area has meant that there are four Family Reception Areas (FRAs) with more than 30,000 UNITA soldiers and family members. ACF-SP conducted nutritional surveys of the displaced and non displaced populations in the municipality of Ganda in June 2002, as follow up to previous surveys in the area (see the table below for data).
Table of ACF-SP survey in Ganda, Benguela Province
|
|
Residents |
IDPs |
|
Acute malnutrition < -2 Z scores +- oedema |
6 |
9 |
|
Severe < -3 Z scores +- oedema |
0.6 |
0.7 |
|
CMR |
0.9 |
1.25 |
|
< 5 mortality |
2.1 |
2.98 |
Huila Province
The humanitarian situation in Huila province is extremely poor with over 170,000 IDPs in various camps and towns. There are reports of new IDPs arriving and the improved security has allowed access to increasing numbers of places such as Bunjej, Chipindo and Galangue. Bunjej, as reported in RNIS 36/37, has an extremely poor humanitarian situation with assessments indicating extraordinarily high rates of both malnutrition and mortality. There are currently estimated to be in excess of 15,000 IDPs and a further 22,000 local people in the town and more are reportedly arriving (ASA 01/05/02). Chipindo camp has an estimated 18,000 IDPs with another 10,000 expected when food is available (WFP 17/05/02). The situation is again extremely poor with many children currently registered in selective feeding programmes. WFP has been conducting food distributions to the population in these areas but has been hampered by the very poor roads which are slowing down the delivery of aid. The town of Galangue, 47 Km to the south of Bunjej, was assessed in May 2002 and has revealed rates of mortality as high as 5 times the emergency thresholds, and many of the dead are children under the age of five. Assessments have also revealed very high rates of acute malnutrition and indicate the extent of the critical needs of the IDP population.
Caconda
Caconda is 240 Km from the provincial capital of Huila province, Lubango. The town is on a major transit route from the north to the south and has received a large number of displaced over the years. Until very recently, the town had a security perimeter around it of 10 km, which severely restricted the movement of both the residents and the IDPs and severely restricted access to farm land. The town contains about 20,471 and the displaced camps 25,195 (ACF-SP 05/02). ACF-SP conducted a nutrition survey amongst both the resident and the IDP population (see table below for data). The surveys show that that there is a significant difference between the estimated acute malnutrition amongst the resident and IDP populations. The estimated prevalence amongst the resident population lies below emergency thresholds whilst that of the IDP population lies above the emergency threshold. However, it should be noted that there is no significant difference between the observed prevalence of severe malnutrition. The estimated mortality rates are all above emergency thresholds with that of the under-five IDP population being 4 times the emergency threshold (ACF-SP 05/02). The results indicate a precarious situation, particularly vis a vis the mortality rates, although the survey makes the point that the situation appears to have improved since the last surveys were conducted at the beginning of the year (see RNIS 36/37).
Table of ACF-SP survey in Caconda, Huila Province
|
|
Residents |
IDPs |
|
Acute malnutrition < -2 Z scores +- oedema |
7.7 |
16.6 |
|
Severe < -3 Z scores +- oedema |
2.2 |
3.4 |
|
CMR |
1.1 |
3.03 |
|
< 5 mortality |
2.75 |
8.04 |
Kuando Kubango Province
The situation in Kuando Kubango province is extremely mixed with large differences between some of the long term IDP populations and some of the newly accessible areas. Assessments in the Mavinga area, which lies 300 Km from the town of Menongue, have revealed a very poor humanitarian situation as a result of a prolonged period of isolation, poor access to water and no previous access to aid. Accessing the region has proved extremely difficult as roads between Menongue and Mavinga have been heavily mined. The only way of reaching the town has been by aircraft. The assessments have revealed a population, including IDPs, of about 64,700 people (WFP 19/07/02) and levels of malnutrition greatly elevated from emergency thresholds. This has resulted in many people being admitted to TFCs and WFP establishing an urgently required general food distribution to meet the critical needs of the population. It is likely that this mirrors other sites in the province that are yet to be accessed.
Kuito, Kuanavale
Kuito Kuanavale is on the road from Menongue to Mavinga and historically has been extremely isolated and insecure. The situation has changed considerably as a result of the peace accord and the reporting period has seen no reports of insecurity in the area. The reported population of the area is 26,395 (ACF-SP 06/02). The town contains a sizeable IDP population with many coming from Mavinga, however the good security situation has meant that there has been a considerable drop in the number of new arrivals to the town. ACF-SP conducted a survey in the town in June 2002 and showed an estimated prevalence of acute malnutrition of 5.5 % (W/Ht < -2 Z scores and/oedema), which included 1.3 % of severe malnutrition (W/Ht < -3 Z scores and/oedema). The Crude Mortality Rate was 0.94/10,000/day and the under-five mortality was 2.36/10,000/day (ACF-SP 06/02). The results indicate that the nutrition situation is under control, with prevalence being under emergency thresholds, and has remained stable when compared to past surveys. However, the mortality rates are cause for concern. The CMR is fractionally under the emergency threshold of 1/10,000/day and the under-five mortality is over the emergency threshold of 2/10,000/day. These rates indicate that there is cause for concern and that the humanitarian situation is far from being acceptable. The survey indicates that one of the chief problems in the town is the very poor access to safe water and to adequate sanitation. This greatly increases the risk of disease transmission and may go some way towards explaining the high observed mortality. The survey also notes that the harvest has been poor, resulting in inadequate food stocks, and that the coverage of food aid is poor with the ration being below recommended levels. The situation remains precarious and although the new found security will hopefully allow the situation to improve, the possibility of a deterioration must not be overlooked.
Overall
The reporting period has seen the consolidation of the peace accords. There have been almost no reports of insecurity and the likelihood of a return to war would appear to be small. The main groups of concern are the new IDPs who are growing in numbers as previously inaccessible areas are opening up to humanitarian organisations. They are considered to be extremely vulnerable (category I) and very high rates of mortality and malnutrition have been observed. Other groups of concern are the demobilised UNITA soldiers and their family attendants who are in very poor condition (category I). The needs of the old IDP community are very mixed with some areas of high needs and others where the needs are less, however they still remain extremely vulnerable (category II).
Recommendations
From the ACF-SP survey in Ganda, Benguela Province, June 2002
· Continue the General Food Distribution to the IDPs and to the vulnerable groups from the resident population.From the ACF-SP survey from Caconda, Huila Province, May 2002· Improve access to medical services.
· Conduct health education programmes focusing on primary health care and public health.
· Improve anti-malarial programmes in the area.
· Improve access to water and sanitation facilities.
· Increase routine vaccination services.From the ACF-SP survey in Kuito Kuanavale, Kuando Kubango Province, June 2002
· Increase the amount of trained health staff from the MoH.
· Screen all new IDPs for health and nutrition status.
· Increase access to water and sanitation facilities.
· Distribute urgently needed agricultural inputs.
· Improve nutritional screening of children under five.
· Improve access to water and sanitation facilities.
· Promote food security through the dissemination of agricultural inputs.
· Reinforce health education programmes.
