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P 251553Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5389
INFO AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY ROME 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USEU BRUSSELS
USMISSION UN ROME 
SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
NSC WASHINGTON DC
SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE

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