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