ANGOLA: UN Humanitarian Situation Report 26 Nov - 2 Dec 1998.12.7

NA<<'ES UNIDAS UNIDADE DE COORDENA<<sqrt O PARA ASSIST NCIA HUMANIT!RIA (UCAH)

UNITED NATIONS HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE COORDINATION UNIT (UCAH)

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E-Mail: ucah@compuserve.com Luanda - Angola

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN ANGOLA

Reporting period 26 November to 2 December 1998

General Political Situation

A number of contacts between the SRSG, the Troika, the Government and the Provisional Political Committee of UNITA (UNITA Renovada) have continued to take place. On 27 November, UNITA Renovada expounded their thesis on the steps to achieve a stable peace
to the SRSG and the Troika at the Joint Commission (JC). The Government also met UNITA Renovada at the JC in their first formal meeting at that venue.

The Troika of Observer States has introduced a draft resolution in the United Nations Security Council proposing the extension of the mandate of MONUA and reiterating its concern at the deterioration of the humanitarian situation, 'especially the signific ant increase in the number of internally displaced and the increase in minelaying activity(a). The draft also calls on both parties to 'guarantee unconditionally the safety and freedom of movement of all humanitarian personnel(a) and requests that they 'coop erate fully with international humanitarian organizations in the delivery of emergency relief assistance(a). The draft resolution, which is expected to be adopted on 3 December, also 'urges the international community to provide financial and other resourc es in order to allow the continued delivery of emergency relief assistance to vulnerable groups in Angola(a).

Humanitarian Situation

Following the latest attack on a humanitarian convoy travelling from Lubango to Caluquembe in HuÌla province on 26 November which resulted in the death of two staff belonging to a trucking company contracted by WFP, the delivery of humanitarian assistance
has been further curtailed. As a result of this attack, displaced populations numbering over 15,000 which had not received assistance since August will have to wait further for delivery of emergency assistance. Despite the re-opening of the Benguela-Hu ambo highway to some commercial traffic, continuing insecurity is closing down several main roads around the country and is provoking emergency assistance stocks in regions traditionally supplied by road to run extremely low. The opening of the road Bengu ela-Huambo through Alto Hama to all traffic, including humanitarian convoys would greatly facilitate the supply of the Highlands and the Southeast.

In Huambo, UÌge and Malange provinces, the political-military tension has increased significantly over the last week with a major increase in the movement of troops in these regions. This has hampered the movement of the humanitarian community in the are a and prevented that assessment missions be carried out to the interior of these provinces.

The number of new confirmed IDPs in the country has continued to grow and now surpasses 340,000. In Luena, Moxico province, the humanitarian community has witnessed over the last few days the arrival of a steady stream of new IDPs, coming mainly from nor th and west, that have swollen the number of existing displaced people in town. The IDPs are mainly children. While WFP immediately distributed 15 days of food supplies to the new arrivals, armed men shooting in the air unfortunately disrupted the proce ss. UNICEF and MSF-B are also assisting with non-food items and medical supplies. WFP has already increased their cargo flights with food, medicines and non-food items to re-supply Luena. Moreover, the number of mine incidents around Luena has increase d significantly and approached the security perimeter of the city as the number of people moving around town also increases.

MINSA in collaboration with WHO, UNICEF, MSF-H and CONCERN carried out a nutritional survey in Malange City and its periphery. On Thursday, 19 November to 23 November five teams conducted the survey of 846 children aged from 6 to 59 months. Preliminary results indicate that there are signs of some malnutrition among both the IDP and resident population. A final report will be received during the first half of December.

Increased tension in the central highlands during the last weeks makes it probable that the number of new IDPs will mount in this area. At the same time, the first new IDPs who left their homes are now experiencing new needs as they have settled down to t heir new existence and are able to start thinking about the future. Children are in need of schooling and adults are looking for ways to support themselves. This is a challenge for UN agencies and NGOs who have already started thinking about what could be called the "secondary" needs of the IDP population.

In UÌge, the seminar on Traditional Birth Assistance continued last week. The UNICEF Field Office in Huambo is working on the implementation of an Ambulance Reference Centre in the town. In Benguela, the UNICEF Field Office in Lobito delivered medical eq uipment to hospitals and health posts. 800 kg of iodine and 220,000 empty one-kilo bags was delivered to one of the salinas taking part in the iodine project.

A vaccination campaign against measles took place in the municipalities of Matala, Quipungo and Gambos in Huila province. In Lubango, Humpata and Chibia the campaign will take place from the established health posts. Vaccination will also take place at ID P camps and concentrations in Caluquembe, Caconda, Jamba and Kuvango. This is a preventive campaign to counter possible epidemics. A similar campaign was conducted in Namibe province, and a third is planned for Cunene. In Benguela province, 20.286 children were registered between 16 September and 26 November. The UNICEF Field Office in Lobito has actively supported the registration campaign.

In commemoration of the first anniversary of the signing of the Ottawa Treaty on the eradication of landmines, the Angolan NGO ComitÈ Angolano para o Banimento das Minas in collaboration with ICRC and UNICEF is carrying out a number of sensitization activ ities in Luanda. Since the launching of the national demining programme (supported by the international community), 16,000 mines have been removed in Angola. However, INAROEE experts refer to the existence of some 5 to 7 million landmines. There are nu merous reports indicating that new mines continue to be laid.

Contributions toward the 1998 Appeal as of 11 November amounted to US$56,032,666 or 68.9% of the amount requested. Angola remains one of the highest funded Appeals in terms of percentage received against requirements. The top ten donors of the 1998 Appe al are:

USA US$ 29,879,418 Sweden US$ 8,952,715 United Kingdom US$ 3,190,630 Denmark US$ 2,189,781 Norway US$ 1,961,789 Italy US$ 1,756,589 Japan US$ 1,430,000 EC-ECHO US$ 1,421,110 Switzerland US$ 984,552 Finland US$ 735,457

[Table] Summary of Requirements and Contributions by Appealing Agency as of 11 November 1998 Compiled by OCHA on the basis of information received by donors and appealing agencies

Status of the Internally Displaced People

BASIC FACTS Reported number of new IDPs since January 1998 533,753 Confirmed number of new IDPs since January 1998 357,118 Number of new IDPs assisted 189,749 CONFIRMED NEW IDPs IN THE MOST AFFECTED PROVINCES HuÌla 68,943 Malanje 67,504 Huambo 36,255 Bengo 26,873 Benguela 25,639 Kuanza Norte 24,375 UÌge 24,179 Lunda Sul 16,901 Zaire 14,379 BiÈ 12,703 Moxico 11,719

End

UCAH/OCHA Prepared by UCAH Information Unit This Publication is also available on the Relief Web at http://www.reliefweb.int

Date: Mon, 7 Dec 1998 10:20:48 +0300 (EAT) From: IRIN - Central and Eastern Africa <irininfo@ocha.unon.org> Subject: ANGOLA: UN Humanitarian Situation Report 26 Nov - 2 Dec 1998.12.7

Editor: Ali B. Dinar, aadinar@sas.upenn.edu