Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Refugee Returns, 12-16-2009
In October 2009, the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola expelled large numbers of the other country’s nationals. Although periodic expulsions have occurred in waves since 2003, more than 52,000 returnees have arrived in Angola since October. As of mid-December, nearly 12,000 individuals remained in camps in Cabinda, Uige, and Zaire provinces in northern Angola. The Government of Angola and humanitarian agencies continue to provide assistance, including emergency shelter, health, and water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions, to camp populations. Some displaced persons who have returned to areas of origin lack basic household items to resettle sustainably.
On December 16, U.S. Ambassador Dan Mozena declared a disaster due to the remaining humanitarian needs of the repatriated population. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through USAID/Angola to the International Organization for Migration for the purchase of emergency relief supplies to assist returnees’ resettlement in areas of origin. USAID/OFDA staff in Washington, D.C., and in the region continue to closely monitor the situation in conjunction with USAID/Angola, USAID’s Office of Food for Peace, and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.
Additional Disaster Declaration:
Floods, 03-17-2009
Beginning in early February, heavy rains in southern and eastern Angola led to extensive flooding, particularly in Cunene Province. The Government of Angola (GOA) Civil Protection Unit reported that the floods affected more than 51,000 inhabitants of Kahama, Cuvelai, Kuanhama, Namakunde, Ombadja, and Xangongo districts. According to the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the floods killed 4 people, destroyed nearly 10,000 houses, and inundated more than 130,000 hectares of agricultural land, causing extensive livestock and crop losses. Flooding also destroyed the main road to Namibia and other roads in the region, potentially reducing access to affected populations. The GOA provided shelter assistance and emergency relief supplies to affected populations in Cunene Province. A preliminary assessment by UNICEF, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and Oxfam found that immediate response needs were access to safe drinking water and food, as the floods contaminated water sources and exacerbated food insecurity, which resulted from 2008 flooding in the same areas.
On March 17, U.S. Ambassador Dan Mozena declared a disaster due to the effects of the flooding. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through USAID/Angola to CRS for the purchase and distribution of shelter materials, hygiene kits, and other emergency relief commodities. USAID/OFDA continued to monitor the situation in coordination with USAID/Angola, the U.S. Embassy in Luanda, and USAID’s Office of Food for Peace.
For information on additional USAID disaster responses in Angola, please see OFDA Annual Reports.
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