ANGOLA: FLOODING KILLS 46, POOR SANITATION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LUANDA 000067

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE PASS TO USAID STATE FOR AF AND AF/S; CA/OCS
USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA FOR KLUU, GGOTTLIEB, AFERRARA, AND
CPRATT
USAID FOR AFR/SA FOR IMCNAIRN, ELOKEN
USAID FOR PRETORIA/OFDA FOR HHALE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL TBIO CASC EAID AO
SUBJECT: ANGOLA: FLOODING KILLS 46, POOR SANITATION
THREATENS MILLIONS

REF: LUANDA 055


1. (U) Summary: At least 46 people are dead and 22 missing
following heavy rains and flooding in Luanda Province on
January 22, 2007. Preliminary reports show severe flooding
and damage in several municipalities, but no large-scale loss
of life. However, several bridges either collapsed or were
washed away, isolating tens of thousands of people. The
threat of additional destruction remains as more rains are
predicted, but the overriding concern is the danger of an
outbreak of waterborne diseases, such as cholera. President
dos Santos expressed his appreciation for the prompt offer of
possible USG aid and the GRA has indicated its need for items
such as large military tents, mosquito nets, cots, medical
supplies, cisterns, and plastic sheeting. Embassy officials
are discussing possible responses with several USG agencies.
End Summary

Floods Threaten Lives In Short and Long Term
--------------

2. (U) Over 8 hours of heavy rain caused severe flooding and
extensive damage throughout Luanda Province. Early reports
place the death toll at 46, with at least 22 people reported
missing in the chaos that followed the water's rapid pre-dawn
rise. Hundreds of families were left homeless after more
than 800 houses were flooded or destroyed when rainfall and
mud quickly overpowered the antiquated sewage system of
colonial-era pipes and trash-clogged drainage ditches. Five
bridges are reportedly destroyed or damaged, severely
restricting access to the Nova Vida and Samba areas of Luanda
and completely isolating the municipality of Cacuaco
(approximately 40,000-50,000 inhabitants),northeast of
Luanda. Mudslides temporarily closed some roads. Cacuaco,
Sambizango, Samba, Viana and Cazenga are among the most
affected municipalities. Heavy rains have also destroyed
some houses in the Provinces of Bengo and Huambo, but there
has been no loss of life.


3. (U) Additional rainfall is expected during the week,
threatening houses on already waterlogged hillsides.
Government and industry contacts have expressed serious
concern over the serious health threat posed by trash and
sewage-contaminated water, and many fear a rapid increase in
the infection rate of cholera and other diarrheal diseases.
Note: Over 200 cases of cholera were confirmed in Luanda from
1 - 22 January 2007, with 12 deaths. End Note.

GRA Requests USG Assistance
--------------


4. (SBU) Minister of External Relations Joao Bernardo Miranda
and Vice Minister Jorge Chicoty jointly met with Ambassador
Efird on January 23, 2007, to express President dos Santos'
appreciation for USG initiative in its prompt offer to
consider requests for assistance. Miranda called the
situation "dramatic" and articulated the government's concern
about sanitation and the spread of disease. Miranda and
Ambassador Efird agreed that it was most effective for the
GRA to work to coordinate its aid requests to the
international community to avoid duplication of efforts.
Ambassador Efird requested a contact for the Embassy's
"technical team;" Chicoty called confirming a meeting with
the Governor of Luanda's strategic planning committee later
that day.


5. (SBU) An Embassy team later met with these Provincial
Government authorities, including the Directors of Planning
and Health, who believe that four million of the province's
six million inhabitants are at risk for waterborne disease in
this year's rainy season. Embassy officials received the
Provincial Government's very specific list of items needed,
which includes large military tents, cots, plastic sheeting
and food for temporary shelters, medical supplies, mosquito
nets, and cisterns to combat the spread of disease, and heavy
industrial equipment to clear wreckage and drainage ditches.
Director of Planning Gabriel Leitao said that tents and food
supplies are not available from the Angolan Armed Forces
(FAA) or the Ministry of Interior, as their supplies have
been used to support the recent influx of returnees from
Zambia and the housing of ex-FLEC soldiers.

GRA Responds to Crisis
--------------

LUANDA 00000067 002 OF 002




6. (U) Bulldozers started clearing mudslides as soon as the
rain eased, and news reports showed Government, Police, and
Angolan military officials in affected regions assessing
damage. The FAA and Ministry of Public Works announced plans
to erect temporary metal bridges to restore access to some
areas. Provincial Government authorities are working to
evacuate residents in high-risk areas along water basins, and
have asked citizens in these areas to voluntarily relocate.
Plans were announced to open emergency aid shelters for flood
victims in nine municipalities, and the Provincial Government
is expanding the capacity of its nine municipal cholera
treatment centers to 100 beds each. The GRA has not issued
an emergency declaration, but has convened an
Inter-Ministerial Commission, which is chaired by Minister of
Interior, Roberto Leal Ramos Monteiro &Ngongo,8 and
includes representatives from the Ministries of Interior,
Defense, Health, and Social Reinsertion, to oversee the
national response. This commission will present its
assessment and plans to the Council of Ministers on January
24th.

Amcits Not Affected
--------------


7. (U) The Embassy issued a warden message on January 23rd
advising American Citizens to stockpile a two-week supply of
food, potable water, etc. in case of the need to "shelter in
place," as more rains are predicted. No American citizens
have contacted the Embassy for assistance at this time. The
RSO remains in contact with the Overseas Advisory Security
Council, which has no reports of damage to US-affiliated
businesses, schools, or NGOs. The DAO remains in contact
with FAA officials to explore possible areas of mil-mil
cooperation in disaster response.


8. (U) The Embassy is back at full operation following
Monday's administrative leave day. Seven residences report
storm related damage, and the Embassy is taking advantage of
a break in the rains to check generators, fuel and water.
The EAC has been convened and continues to manage and monitor
flood-related issues.


9. (SBU) Comment: The underlying problems that have
precipitated this crisis are not new and require not only
immediate relief for victims but also long term planning and
development to resolve. Regardless, given the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's forecast of
above-average rainfall for the Luanda area during the 2007
rainy season, the current crisis could quickly escalate.
Near-term USG assistance, such as in the provision of large
tents and cots, would reduce suffering for displaced persons.
Longer term interventions should focus on assistance that
would help to contain the potential explosion in cholera
incidence rates. Embassy Angola therefore will request
specific immediate assistance from USAID and EUCOM following
additional consultations with international NGOs and other
members of the international community. End Comment
EFIRD