ANGOLA DISASTER SITREP NO. ONE - FLOOD EMERGENCY

UNCLAS LUANDA 000187 AIDAC USAID FOR DCHA/FFP PETERSEN, USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA DENYSENKO, CHAN, CONVERY, POWERS, SHEPPARD USAID FOR AFR/SA HARMON, COPSON, MENDELSON DEPT FOR AF/S, INR/GGI, PM/ISP NSC FOR PRATT PRETORIA FOR DISKIN, HALE, RODGERS, WESSEL AND USDA/REYNOLDS NAIROBI FOR ROBERT DRAPCHO IN NAIROBI ROME FOR FODAG NEWBERG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON EAGR AO SUBJECT: ANGOLA DISASTER SITREP NO. ONE - FLOOD EMERGENCY REFTEL: A) LUANDA 154 B) LUANDA 166 ¶1. SUMMARY: Additional assessments carried out by United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations indicate that the situation has worsened over the past two weeks and that the continuous rains in January and February have affected much of Angola. The heavy rains that began in mid-February triggered severe flooding in six provinces of Angola: Cunene, Cuando Cubango, Bie, Moxico, Malange and, to a lesser extent, Huambo. Nationwide an estimated 160,000 persons are affected; to date 19 deaths have been reported. Outbreaks of water-related diseases such as cholera and other diarrheas and malaria are public health concerns, as is the potential for malnutrition. Flooding is regional; on March 18, Namibia declared an emergency in six northern provinces, which are adjacent to the Angola provinces most affected by the floods. The rainy season is expected to continue until mid-May. The Government of Angola (GOA) has reported spending $10 million to date for its emergency response. United Nations agencies in Angola have requested $2 million from the United Nation's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for a three-month emergency response program. ¶2. CUNENE PROVINCE continues to be the hardest hit, due to its flood-vulnerable terrain, dense population along a major trade route, and high rates of poverty and HIV prevalence. The rainfall in Cunene Province growth comes between December and April and averages 600mm. As of March 2, 2009, Cunene had already received 866.5mm of rainfall. A team of hydrologists from Angola and Namibia carried out aerial inspections in the upper part of the Cuvelai basin and reported that flood water continues to build up from the north. In Evale, 55 km north of Ondjiva, the water levels are increasing at a very high rate compared to the 2008 floods. Four flood-related deaths have occurred, over 52,646 people have been displaced, and 9,682 homes destroyed; some 24,000 people are living in three camps where there is a critical need for latrines. The levee protecting Ondjiva has been breached, flooding the provincial capital that has some 60,000 inhabitants. Some 150,000 head of cattle are at risk, and 138,000 hectares of crops have been destroyed. The three hardest-hit municipalities are in the south: 1) Kwahama (communities of Ondjiva, Evale, Mtngua, Nehone and Chimpolo); 2) Namacunde (communities of Namacunde and Shiede); and 3) Cuvelai (communities of Mukolongondjo, Mupa and Kalonga Kubati). Roads have been destroyed, including the roads between Cuvelai and Xangongo, and between Cuvelai and Kupaleti, forcing the government in some cases to use helicopters and boats to deliver emergency assistance. Cuvelai municipality, with its estimated population of 30,000, is isolated, reachable only by air and boat. The main road to Namibia is flooded but accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles. An outbreak of cholera was reported earlier this year by the Red Cross in Okanguati and Opuwo areas. Cholera is expected to increase rapidly, due to the poor sanitation infrastructure and a lack of safe drinking water. ¶3. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BY PROVINCE: CUANDO CUBANGO PROVINCE reports 2,647 people affected in the communities of Menongue, Kalai, Kuangar, Dirico, Rivungo and Mavinga; 146 houses have been destroyed in Menongue. MOXICO PROVINCE reports 6,288 families affected, 1,169 homes destroyed, and heavy crop losses in Luau, Luena, and Lumbala Kanege, due to heavy rainfall and high wind. BIE PROVINCE reports nine deaths, some 800 families affected, and 625 homes partially or completely destroyed in Kuito municipality. The provincial commission of civil protection estimates that around 700 houses in several other municipalities have been affected and has reported heavy losses of crops planted along river banks. MALANJE PROVINCE reports one death, 1,220 people displaced, 261 houses destroyed, seven people injured and seven schools affected in the localities of Malange, Sede and Cambaxe, Cacuso, Calandula, Maimba, Kiwaba Nsoji, Quela and Cangandala. HUAMBO PROVINCE reported heavy losses of crops. ¶4. HOST GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The GOA's National Civil Protection Agency is led by General Eugnio C. Laborinho, who has reported to donors that he has spent $10 million for the government's emergency response. The GOA welcomes support but is not expected to make a formal appeal. Other host-country agencies involved in relief operations are the Ministry of Assistance and Social Reintegration, the Ministry of Health, the armed forces, and provincial and municipal authorities. The GOA provided 200 tons of aid (food, non-food items and tents),of which about half is estimated to be food (unfortified cornmeal). The GOA has provided 185 tents, helicopters, six cargo airplanes able to carry 40 tons of cargo, and two large tents to serve as a warehouse and operational base for Cunene. Additionally, 20,000 GOA-funded mosquito nets will be made available, along with 3,000 sheets of zinc roofing sheets for construction of 416 latrines for the three camps in Cunene. ¶5. INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY RESPONSE: Despite the absence of a formal appeal by the GOA, the international community's response is beginning to coalesce, with weekly emergency-response coordination meetings. International agencies and non-governmental organizations have raised concerns about food security. The European Community Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) plans to send an ECHO official to Cunene during April 4 - 6. To date, the United Nations agencies have encouraged the GOA to declare a disaster in Cunene and provided about $600,000 of emergency supplies and materials. WHO has delivered 5 tons of medicine kits valued at $27,325 for diarrhea treatment, chloride for water cleaning and other emergency materials to Cunene, and will do a joint assessment of public health needs in Cunene with the Ministry of Health. UNICEF will provide one water treatment unit capable of purifying safe water for up to 5,000 people a day, in addition to a unit already in Ondjiva. Additionally, UNICEF is providing four water bladders (2 x 5,000 L and 2 x 10,000L),along with 28,000 jerry cans for water storage; 100 bags (40 kg / bag) of HDH chlorine, 50 boxes of water purification tables and 50,000 bars of soap. On March 18, UNICEF, WHO and IOM submitted a combined request to the United Nation's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for a $2 million emergency response for the next three months. If approved, the CERF resources will provide access to safe water management, increase the availability of health services with emphasis on water-borne diseases, and provide shelter material and non-food items to the most vulnerable people. ¶6. NGOS, PVOS ASSISTING IN THE RELIEF: Catholic Relief Services, CARE, Oxfam, Caritas Angola, Ajuda de Desenvolvimento de Povo para Povo Angola, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC),the Angola Red Cross (ARC),and the Spanish Red Cross are on site in some of the flood-affected areas. CRS and CARE are attempting to mobilize resources to respond; CRS has received $50,000 under the US Ambassador's authority. The ARC responded to the initial call for assistance by sending 2,300 jerry cans, 700 mosquito nets, and 60,000 sachets of oral rehydration solutions. A total of 50 ARC volunteers were initially mobilized in Ondjiva, and are currently working with the Ministry of Health on information, education and communication activities and the distribution of chlorine tablets and other items. The ARC has issued an appeal to the IFRC's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund; so far, the Netherlands Red Cross Society made a contribution of 40,000 Euros in response. Oxfam will build 416 latrines in coordination with Civil Protection for the three camps in Cunene and is coordinating with ARC to train 100 volunteers to do a public health awareness campaign. ¶7. USG RELIEF EFFORTS: The Mission Disaster Relief Officers are monitoring the situation and providing regular updates to the Chief of Mission, who declared a disaster on March 18. The Ambassador's authority of $50,000 is being programmed through Catholic Relief Services and its local partner Caritas Angola in Cunene. USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and Food for Peace have mobilized two technicians, Thomas Rogers and Dr. Barbara Reed, who intend to carry out an assessment of the flooding in Cunene and Cuando Cubango March 25 - 29. Post Assistant MDRO and the DCM will accompany them. MOZENA