USAID/OTI Angola Field Report
March 2003
Program Description
The OTI program in Angola was initiated in February 2003 to support the renewed opportunity for a lasting peace and increased democracy following the end of 40 years of violent conflict. OTI is providing support in three areas: civil society advocacy on key transition issues; strengthening independent media; and nurturing participatory policy-making processes, including elections. As appropriate, OTI's program may also include activities directed at strengthening deliberative processes within the National Assembly and encouraging good governance. OTI's implementing partner is Creative Associates and the FY 2003 budget is approximately $2.5million.
Country Situation
The most pressing concern continues to be the slow pace of government-led efforts to reintegrate and resettle UNITA ex-combatants and their families. Many ex-combatants and their families are growing impatient after spending extended periods of time in temporary quartering areas, while others are deciding to spontaneously return to their communities unassisted, unsure of what they will find and how they will survive. Reports indicate that some returnees are finding that places they left years ago have been destroyed and lack basic infrastructure and social services, or are already occupied by others.
UNITA party officials have expressed outrage at the government's treatment of ex-combatants, and concerns have been raised about disenfranchisement and rising tensions within the ex-combatant communities over the lack of official response to their needs. This was particularly relevant given official statements that the government would close all remaining gathering areas housing ex-combatants and their families at the end of March.
An equally challenging problem is the return of refugees. Over 200,000 Angolans fled to Zambia during the war, while 163,000 fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and 24,500 to Namibia. The steady stream of returns continues particularly from Zambia and the DRC, further stretching the country's resources to help them resettle. Tripartite meetings between Angolan officials, UN officials and host country governments were held during March to develop and finalize plans for the orderly return of Angolan refugees. According to the UN, positive progress has been made in developing plans for orderly refugee returns. However, the lack of proper, or any documentation by many refugees, landmines, potential conflicts over land use, food insecurity throughout Angola, and the need for basic social services continue to challenge all of those involved in this process.
Increasingly, discussion among donors, Angolan and international NGOs, and others is turning towards the challenge of moving from crisis response to long-term recovery. While significant numbers of Angolans continue to rely on international humanitarian aid for survival, donors are emphasizing that with the end of the war humanitarian assistance levels will decrease, particularly in light of Angola's multi-billion dollar annual oil revenues, which many feel should be more effectively used to address the needs of the Angolan population. The World Bank and others are stressing the need for increased transparency and accountability by the Angolan government in order for it to receive or continue to receive significant development and reconstruction assistance.
Angolan media continue to experience challenges to their effectiveness and independence. Several journalists from both state-owned and independent media suffered violent attacks during the last month. Governmental representatives have been held responsible for the wave of aggression, which was widely condemned in both governmental and independent Angolan media. With international donor assistance Radio Ecclesia, Angola's largest independent radio operator, is expanding its geographic range with the installation of repeaters in several provinces of the country. Obtaining and installing the repeaters has been a difficult process but repeaters are now expected to be functioning by June 2003.
OTI Highlights
A. Narrative Summary
OTI's implementing partner, Creative Associates, has experienced delays but will open its offices beginning in April. Nevertheless, program development staff began to network with local organizations in Luanda and to identify potential opportunities for OTI small grants. A number of proposals were received and are pending decisions and possible revisions in scope. Plans were also developed for travel by the OTI program team to four provinces: Huila, Benguela, Huambo and Malanje, to network with local partners and develop grants targeted to local priorities. Travel will take place during April and May; initial assessment and networking visits will be followed by project development staff visits to work with local organizations to develop specific grants.
B. Grants Activity Summary
With continued focus on startup tasks, no grants were approved in March. However, numerous contacts were made with local organizations and potential grantees, several proposals were received, and grants will be approved starting in April.
NEXT STEPS/IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES
OTI will continue to travel to provinces and develop new grants during April. An OTI/Washington team will also visit Angola in April to participate in the development of a detailed OTI/Angola strategic plan including a monitoring and evaluation plan.
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