Angola - DHA: 1-30.Mar.97
Angola - DHA: 1-30.Mar.97
United Nations
Department of Humanitarian Affairs
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN ANGOLA
Period covered: 1-30 March 1997
The information contained in this report was provided by the
United Nations Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit in
Luanda (UCAH)
The United Nations Secretary General Visits Angola to Forward the Peace
Process
On 22 March the United Nations Secretary General arrived to Angola for
his first visit to a United Nations Peacekeeping mission and to meet with
the government of Angola and UNITA to discuss outstanding issues related
to the peace process. The Secretary General traveled to Kuito on Sunday,
23 March to review UNAVEM operations and to Bailundo on 24 March where he
met for discussions with UNITAs leader Ms. Jonas Savimbi. On 25 March,
the Secretary General addressed the General Assembly and launched the
United Nations Inter- Agency Consolidated Appeal. The UN Secretary
General was also accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Nane Annan who visited
several humanitarian projects during her visit including the ICRC
prosthesis workshop in Kuito and two street children projects in Luanda
run in cooperation with NGOs, UNICEF and WFP.
Following the meeting held between the Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan
and the leader of UNITA, Jonas Savimbi, part of the remaining UNITA
deputies arrived to Luanda on the morning of 25 March to join the
Government of Unity and National Reconciliation (GURN). The remaining
deputies arrived in Luanda on 27 March. This completed the arrival of
all deputies and designated officials for the National Assembly. In the
17th Special Session of the Joint Commission, the date of the
installation of the UNITA deputies into the National Assembly was set for
9 April and the inauguration of GURN is expected to take place 11 April.
The modalities of the normalization of State Administration are currently
under discussion with the Central Intersectoral Operation Group, the body
responsible for the implementation under the chairmanship of the Minister
for Territorial Administration. The Government has proposed to start the
normalization in Mbanza Congo. UNITA maintains that this procedure can
only begin after the establishment of the GURN.
The Status of UNITAs leader, Jonas Savimbi The Draft bill on the special
status of the president of UNITA in his capacity as the President of the
largest Opposition Party was approved at the 47th session of the Joint
Commission. The Status of Jonas Savimbi is aimed at securing for the
President of UNITA a framework of political action in national society
long with legal, protocol and security guarantees. In addition, the
President of the largest opposition part will contribute effectively to
the consolidation of peace and national reconciliation in Angola.
United Nations Secretary-General issues two reports on Angola during the
reporting period In his report to the Security Council on 19 March, the
Secretary General stated that it was a matter of serious concern that the
formation of the GURN had been postponed, owing primarily to the failure
of UNITA to send all its officials to Luanda as previously agreed. The
repeated delays in the fulfillment of this obligation has impacted on the
implementation of other aspects of the peace process including the
normalization of state administration throughout Angola and the
demobilisation of excess UNITA personnel. After his visit to Angola, the
United Nations Secretary General issued a second report on 27 March
outlining his visit. The report indicates that progress has been made in
the peace process, specifically the arrival of the UNITA deputies for the
National Assembly. The Secretary General expressed optimism and hope that
the peace process will be competed expeditiously. However, as noted in
the Secretary Generals report, given the uncertainty concerning the exact
date for the inauguration of the GURN, it is recommended that the
Security Council consider extending the mandate of UNAVEM III for two
weeks until 15 April 1997.
In a Note Verbale from the Government of Angola to UNITA dated 20 March,
the Angolan Government reiterated its inclination to . . . exchange views
with the UNITA Delegation without any preconditions on the Programme for
the Government of National Unity and National reconciliation.
OVERVIEW BY SECTOR
HEALTH
Donors and UCAH visit Uige Province
On 6 March, UCAH, UNDP and UNITA Representatives accompanied a Donor
mission to Uige province to review a variety of different health and
rehabilitation projects. The mission visited the Negage Hospital
rehabilitated by UNICEF and supported by MDM. The section that treats
trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and TB suffers from shortages of
medication and there is currently no NGO working in this department.
ANGOTRIP, the trypanosomiasis treatment centre run by CARITAS in Uige was
also visited Uige along with Zaire Kwanza Norte and Bengo provinces, is
one of the endemic areas and there is a large need for resources.
According to WHO, four million people are in danger of infection and
150,000 new cases are expected in 1997.
Africa Humanitarian Action proceeds with Rehabilitation work in Moxico
Province Africa Humanitarian Action (AHA) an NGO working in Moxico
province, in close coordination with UNHCR, has outlined its plans for
1997 including the completion of the rehabilitation of Cazombo municipal
hospital and other outlying health posts in Luhuza, Jamba, Kallunda and
Kargigie, (all Moxico province). In addition the water supply system is
being installed in Cazombo hospital and additional medical supplies
including a set of x-ray and laboratory equipment will be provided.
Vaccination campaign reaches inaccessible communes in Uige Between 27
February and 6 March, UNICEF and the PAV team in Negage delivered a
vaccination campaign in the Municipality of Quimbale northwest of Uige
town in the province of Uige. The campaign managed to deliver 12,267
doses of vaccines including measles, polio, DTP and tetanus. The campaign
was assisted by UNAVEM III specifically with logistics and transport.
With a UNAVEM helicopter, the vaccination campaign was able to reach the
inaccessible areas of Alto Zaza, Kuango and Ikoka. UCAH and UNICEF are
under discussion with various international NGOs to look at the
possibility of implementing sectoral projects in these areas.
UNICEF Holds Review in Lubango
Between 20-21 March, UNICEF carried out its first decentralized review of
its programme in Huila, Cunone and Namibe with the Vice-Ministers for
Social Affairs of the three provinces, south west based NGOs and
representatives from the embassies of Holland and Italy. All programmes
were analyzed and budgets were approved by the different counterparts for
the areas of health/nutrition. Water and sanitation, education, street
children and emergency operations.
In Short
The rehabilitation of the municipal hospital in Sanza Pombo has been
completed by the NGO the Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA)
with funding from UNHCR. The 25 bed capacity hospital now has a water
and electricity supply system and is well-equipped with basic medical
equipment. The Vice-President of UNITA, General Dembo helped to
inaugurate the hospital at the ceremony that hosted some 3, 000 people.
A French NGO Action Nord Sud (ANS) recently arrived in Angola. ANS will
be rehabilitating the Hospital in Caculama (Malange province). ADRA
International will be responsible for the maternity services in the
hospital while MSF-H is in charge of an outlying health post in the
municipality.
UNICEFs Health Bridges Towards Peace has been resumed in Namibe province
after a one week break for the programme review in Lubango. The
operation includes an immunization campaign, distribution of essential
drugs, and ORS sachets and social mobilization against diarrhoeal disease
and mine awareness and will reach an estimated 100,000 population.
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Insufficient Rainfall in Central Angola
UCAH, WFP and selected NGOS compiled information on the rainfall
situation (below) throughout the central region in response to reports of
insufficient rainfall. The information indicates a general shortage of
rain across the country and in specific areas there is serious concern
that the harvest will be poor. However, further verification with the
information of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER)
will allow a more comprehensive picture.
Provinces Situation
Coastal Zones Lack of rainfall over past
six months. Exact deficit
Bengo/Kuanza Sul Luanda, Benguela difficult to estimate
but a decrease in rainfall
quantity is estimated between
70-80 percent.
Maize and Mantioca affected in
some areas it is likely that
harvest will be sufficient in
only beans and sweet potatoes.
Benguela, Bie, Huambo, Huila Rains reported to
have started at normal time of year,
however, a long break was
reported during the month of
January and February affecting
maize crop.
Reports indicate maize yield
between 30-60 percent.
Kuanza Sul and Kuanza Norte General failure of
rains in these areas with poor rains
reported for the period October
to December and a long
day period in January and
February.
High levels of rainfall
reported for March allowing planting
of sweet potato crops in some
areas. Effect of poor rains
unclear and requires further
verification.
SUMMARY The full extent of the
damage caused by the variable
rainfall reported will not be
clear until the end of the
season coinciding with the
visit of FAO and WFP Crop
Assessment Mission. The
mission will asses the situation
and make concrete
recommendations regarding necessary
actions.
In short
WFPs Director for the Africa Bureau, Mohammed Zejjari visited Angola,
10-13 March to review WFP operations in the country. Mr. Zejjari visited
Bie, Malange, Benguela and Kuanza Norte during his visit to Angola and
also held discussions with he Vice Minister of Planning, the Minister of
Social Affairs and Reintegration and with other UN Agencies and donor
representatives. Mr. Zejjari signed the letter of understanding between
WFP and the Government of Angola for their 1997 project for assistance to
displaced and war affected.
The FAO/WFP food crop assessment team is expected to arrive in Angola at
the end of April. The Assessment mission will undertake a country wide
survey of the success and/or failure of the 1996 planting season. The
results of the assessment will form the basis for the planning of
interventions later in 1997.
During the month of February and March, several WFP flights were
cancelled due to heavy rains in the southern region causing some
disruptions in the deliveries of humanitarian supplies, specifically the
quartering areas in Cuando, Cubango and the special centres for the
Military War disabled in the same province.
IDPS AND REFUGEES
Displacement due to Insecurity in Benguela Province Over the past several
months, areas of Benguela Province have been affected by insecurity
resulting in an increase of IDPs arriving to the town of Cubal. Since 4
February, reports from the region indicate that attacks on villages are
causing people to fled areas south of Cubal to seek refuge in Cubal town.
UNAVEM reports that entire villages south of Cubal are deserted. The
number of IDPs in Benguela province was estimated initially at some
180,000 (November 1996). However, the total number of IDPs is currently
estimated at 200,000 with virtually all of these people dependent on
humanitarian assistance. Despite efforts undertaken during a meeting with
the UNAVEM force commander FAA and UNITA to decrease the violence through
controlling respective armed populations, the crisis continues and IDPs
continue to influx Cubal. A joint UN mission is travelling to the region
to assess the humanitarian situation.
IDPs are arriving in Malange from the northern areas of Malange province
The UCAH Field Advisor in Malange reports that some 2,000 people have
arrived recently in the city of Malange from areas north of the city of
Lombe. The population is being registered by MINARS as they arrive in
Lombo west of Malange and are being assisted by ADRA Angolano, CARITAS
and World Vision. The latter has food stocks available and is
distributing rations as the population arrives in Malange. The
population is dispersing throughout the city after arrival. The reason
given for the movement is the increase in free circulation in UNITA
areas.
The UCAH Field Advisor from Malange is also reporting that the
coordination sub-groups on education, health, agriculture, demobilisation
and social assistance are operating well with participation of all
partners including UNITA and the Government. During the last week of
March, the two sub-groups on health and agriculture were held in UNITA
areas and a decision was taken to have Institute for Agricultural
Development (IDA) undertake an assessment of agriculture in UNITA
controlled areas. The Provincial Humanitarian Coordination group (PHCG)
has not been held for a number of weeks due to the Government canceling
scheduled meetings.
IOM outlines their programme for 1997 and 1998 In 1997 and 1998 IOM is
planning to provide return and resettlement assistance to an estimated
358,474 demobilised soldiers and dependents including 6,630 under-age
soldiers and dependents and 27,908 war-disabled soldiers and dependents.
In addition, IOM will provide assistance in coordination with MINARS to
141,841 IDPs residing in camps.
Street children
During the visit of the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan,
UNICEF, UCAH and WFP organised a visit for the SGs wife, Mrs. Nane Annan
to review projects related to street children in Luanda. Mrs. Annan
visited the Casa Menores, sponsored and supported by INAC and the NGO
Oikos. Mrs. Annan also visited a street children project for boys
situated on the outskirts of Luanda and sponsored by the Catholic Church
and supported with medicines and educational materials from UNICEF and
food from WFP.
The Street Childrens programme run by GOAL with assistance from LWF, WFP,
UNICEF and the Dutch Government continues to expand with 1,008 children
treated during the month of February at the mobile clinics and the drop
in centre in San Paulo. LWF are providing a doctor who visits the drop
in centre twice a week. The majority of the children that visit GOALs
clinic suffer from malaria, diarrhoea, tropical ulcers and skin diseases.
GOAL has appealed to all humanitarian personnel to dig deep into their
closets and pull out any T-shirts or other items of clothing for
distribution to street children.
FREE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE AND GOODS/SECURITY
Checkpoints not yet Dismantled in all Areas of the Country
In their report to the 47th ordinary session of the Joint Commission, 5
illegal checkpoints were established by both the Government and UNITA.
As of the 11 of March, 293 checkpoints had been lifted, 179 by Government
and 114 by UNITA with 132 still to be lifted, 56 by Government and 76 by
UNITA. The continued existence and increase in the number of checkpoints
continues to frustrate the free movement of people and goods throughout
the country. In addition:
- The four command posts of UNITA in Bailundo an Andulo and Luzanba
remain operational.
- UNAVEM reports that UNITA maintains their restriction on the demining
of the road Malange Mussende-Andulo- Kuito.
- UNAVEM engineers completed the construction of Mavinga Airstrip on 26
February 1997.
- The bridge site over the Cune river is still restricted to UNAVEM
demining and repair brigades
- UNITA stopped the UNAVEM engineers from constructing the bridge over
the river Quoro in Huambo province.
Education Update
A Teacher Emergency Programme (literacy) (TEP) was held in Uige during
the month of March organised and sponsored by the NGO Norwegian Refugee
Council (NRC) with the participation of UNICEF and UCAH. The seminar
brought together 37 professors from the municipalities of Uige, Songo,
Quitexe and Damba with supervisors from Maquela de Zombo and Uige. The
seminar reviewed the importance of strengthening the professional
capacity of the education personnel and also the importance of UNITA and
Government education staff working together. UCAH also participated in
the seminar with a presentation to the gathered educators on the Lusaka
protocol and the peace process. On 23 March, the seminar came to a close
during a ceremony which include the Governor of Uige, members of the
Government, International agencies and NGOs. This was the first TEP
which has brought together educators from UNITA and the Government.
These teachers will now return to their areas and will be provided with
the necessary teaching equipment to implement the programme. NRC is also
participating in the rehabilitation of schools in Uige Province.
ADPP, Nuovo Frontiera and IED will start an educational programme in the
near future in various fields such as health, electricity, mechanics and
civil construction in the province of Benguela.
In the province of Saurimo, the NGO Goal is carrying out health education
activities with the local population. A community centre has been opened
that is serving as a meeting place for motivators, promoters, and people
from surrounding communities. Motivators work on sewing and knitting
with the assistance of materials from the NGO Lutheran World Federation
(LWF) and other Motivators who are skilled and are teaching others their
craft. Health education has also commenced in the schools and the
Ministry of Education is assisting with the supervision of the
distribution of seeds to families of children in the schools.
DONOR UPDATE
The United Nations Secretary General launches the 1997 Inter-Agency
Consolidated Appeal
The Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan launched the
United Nations Inter-Agency Appeal on March 25 at the Palais de Congress
requesting USD 228 Million for a variety of relief, reconstruction and
rehabilitation programmes in Angola in 1997. The Appeal launching was
attended by the Special Representative to the Secretary-General (SRSG)
Maitre Beye, Donor Country Ambassadors, UNAVEM and the UN agency
representatives. The appeal strategy focuses on the completion of the
demobilisation process and assistance for the return and resettlement of
IDPs, refugees demobilising soldiers and dependents. The priority for
United Nations and IOM is the demobilisation process and to accelerate
the reintegration of ex-military and dependents while working in tandem
to rehabilitate and reconstruct basic services at the municipal and
provincial levels to be able to absorb large population influxes. Below
is a breakdown of requirements.
UCAH welcomes new staff to Angola
Mr. Dean Chambliss has joined UCAHs Field Coordination Office and will
take on the duties of Associate Field Advisor. Two now White Helmets
from Argentina, Frederico Noyano and Hernan Guintini have joined UCAHs
Emergency Task Force team in Jamba and Mavinga to assist with the
Military War Disabled programme.
In short
On 3 March 1997 DHA Geneva signed an agreement with the US Government for
a contribution of USD 1,150,000 in support of the Quick Response Fund for
Demobilisation in Angola. These funds will be channeled to NGOs working
in the Selection and Demobilisation Centres.
The Government of Canada announced on 10 March that it would donate USD
350,000 Canadian dollars to UCAH to assist with coordination activities
in Angola. The United Nations humanitarian Coordination Unit (UCAH) will
continue to monitor the return and emergency needs of more than 1.2
million IDPs and 300,000 returning refugees.
On 1 March, DHA signed an agreement between the Swedish Government (SIDA)
for a contribution of approximately USD 600,000 in response to Urgent
Financial Requirements in the Selection and Demobilisation Centres. The
contribution will be used for implementing partners, NGOs and UN Agencies
to address a wide range of humanitarian activities in the SDCs.
On 3 March, DHA received a contribution of USD 408,000 from the British
Government (ODA) in response to the urgent financial requirements for
demobilisation. As above, these funds will be channeled to implementing
partners in the SDCs.
The Quartering Phase still requires some USD 15 million in order to keep
basic services in place until Rapid Demobilisation is completed
(anticipated by end of August 1997).
DEMOBILISATION AND REINTEGRATION
Rapid Demobilisation ready to commence
On 21 March, the Joint Commission met and announced that the
demobilisation of excess troops, war disabled military and the remaining
underage soldiers from the Selection and Demobilisation Centres in the
central region (Vila Nova, Lounduimbali and Quibala) including the
Special War Disabled Centre of Bonga should commence 26 March, however,
due to the unavailability of the Government Special Subsidy for
Reinsertion (SEAR) funds, the exercise has not yet started. The
demobilisation of excess troops is also expected to commence in the
southern region on 15 April. All preparations and benefits for the rapid
demobilisation are being made available by the different partners
including the provision of food for the demobilising soldiers and their
families (WFP), sufficient transport for same (IOM), the distribution of
demobilisation cards and certificates (UCAH and FAA) and demobilisation
kits (IOM/Portuguese kits). As part of this procedure, UNITA police
personnel will also be demobilised while some will be selected for
incorporation into the Angolan National Police (ANP). All demobilised
police personnel will receive the same benefits as military personnel and
their families will be transported by IOM to their destinations of
choice.
Quartering Area Status as of 1 April
FMU troops registered 66,012
UNITA policemen registered 4,911
Dependents of FMU troops 113,649
Dependents of UNITA Police 7,475
Troops present in SDCs 30,676
UNITA Police present in SDC 3,575
Troops selected for integration to FAA 18,569
Police selected for incorporation into ANP 443
Total deserted troops and police 19,863
Status on registration of military War Disabled (MWD) in
UNITA Special Centre
Special Centre MWDs Dependents
Biongue Special Centre 1,228 7,069
Mavinga Special Centre 1,806 10,008
Kavaleka 454 454
Jamba 1,459 10,387
Cangola 142 551
Boa Vista 67 410
Bonga 775 3,616
Total 5,931 33,672
In short
In order to facilitate the rapid demobilisation Plan, the Technical
Working Group for Demobilisation and Reintegration (TWGDR) will be
undertaking a combined awareness campaign including representation and
assistance from UCAH, the donor community, national Media, UNITA and the
Government. In order to assist and formalize the campaign, a workshop
will be held by UCAH in April regarding the dissemination and reporting
on the demobilisation process.
The demobilisation of the Underage Military (UnM) recommenced after over
a months delay on 26 March from the Quartering areas of Vila Nova, Negage
and Catala. To date, some 2,124 UNITA UnM have been demobilised and
returned to their areas of origin and 213 FAA UnM have been demobilised.
The United Nations and implementing partners continue to follow-up and
monitor UnM already demobilised.
The selection process for the incorporation of ex-FMU has been officially
announced as completed by 12 March and the transportation of selected
troops to FAA barracks will resume immediately and is expected to be
completed by 31 March. 18,629 ex-FMU were selected for FAA and some
7,000 have been incorporated.
MINE ACTION
MGM is restricted from completing the demining of the road to Quincunzo
The NGO Mensohen Gegen Minen (MGM) has been operating in collaboration
with WFP in the Nambuangongo area, Bengo province demining the roads from
Dande Bridge via Quicunzo to the Bridge over the River Lifune next to the
district capital Muxaluando, MGM uses heavy machinery to demine including
a mine proof grader. The operation had been proceeding relatively
smoothly and quickly with some incidents reported on 15 March when an old
booby trap was found on the road and detonated. MGM also reports that
there are hundreds of people waiting to cross the bridge over River
Lifune to return home to Nambuangongo.
However, on 20 March, MGM was informed by local authorities in Quicunzo
that the operation was to cease immediately and all personnel needed to
be withdrawn the same day. The MGM team withdrew all their personnel to
Piri where there is a UNAVEM team site but were unable to take the heavy
equipment out in the time allotted and two machines were stuck in the
mud. On 1 April, MGM recovered their equipment from the Quincunzo area
with the help of commercial trucks. Due to this incident, MGM has
announced the operation completed but will recommence the 3rd phase of
their demining operation in the same region once security is guaranteed.
The Secretary General Signs the Anti-Land Mine Ban in Angola
On the occasion of the launching of the Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal
for 1997, the Campaign of Signatures in Favor of the Ban of Land Mines in
Angola was signed by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr.
Kofi Annan, the SRSG, Maitre Beye and the Ministers of External Affairs
and MINARS. The campaign currently carried out by a collation of
national NGOs has the objective to collect more than 1000 signatures,
with more than 30,000 collected to date to be presented to the Angolan
Parliament to support the ratification by the Assembly of the
International Convention for the Ban of Mines.
Maputo Conference Ends with Declaration from 60 Countries The Anti-Land
Mine conference held in Maputo, Mozambique ended on 28 February with a
declaration where the 450 delegates from 60 different countries promised
to pressure their respective Governments to sign the Ottawa Treaty in
December on the banning of landmines. The participants also requested
that the OAU introduce in the next conference in Zimbabwe in June 1997 a
resolution to incite member countries to ban the use of landmines within
their territories.
Landmine Surveys on-going
A level 1 landmine survey of Angola is currently being undertaken. It
began late in 1995 but it was not until mid 1996 that access and
cooperation with the military improved to an extent where provincial mine
appraisals were possible. To date, the provinces of Bengo, Kuanza Norte,
Malanje, Benguela and Uige have been completed by NPA and a significant
coverage has been achieved by The Halo Trust in Huambo and Bie. Survey
teams are presently working in Zaire (NPA), Moxico (MAG) and Cuando
Cubango (GFC) with plans to extend the programme into Kuanza Sul (NPA),
Huila (NPA), Cuncne (NPA), Namibe (NPA), Lunda Sul (MAG) in the following
months. A comprehensive nation- wide evaluation is likely to be
completed by December 1997 although clearly in some areas of the country
access and cooperation remain a problem and a comprehensive record of the
level of mine contamination will be limited.
The information gathered and details of mine sites are held at the INAROE
Database on the 6th floor of the UCAH building.
This report is available on the internet through
RELIEFWEB: http://www.reliefweb.int
Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit (UCAH) - Luanda
Mr. Ramiro Lopes da Silva
Tel.: (244 2) 34 82 05 / 34 10 72
Fax: (244 2) 34 27 10
Inter-Agency Support Branch (IASB) Geneva
Mr. David Bassiouni - Chief
Mr. Chris Kaye
Tel.: (41 22) 788.6385
Fax: (41 22) 788.6389
Registry E-Mail:
Rosemary.Addo-Yirenkyi@dha.unicc.org
Complex Emergencies Division (CED)
New York
Mr. Steve Gleason
Tel.: (1 212) 963.5406
Fax: (1 212) 963.3630
E-Mail: gleason@un.org
Press to contact (DHA-Geneva)
Ms. Madeleine Moulin-Acevedo
Tel.: (41 22) 917.2856
Fax: (41 22) 917.0023
Telex: 414242 DHA CH
E-Mail: Moulin-Acevedo@dha.unicc.org