Update of humanitarian situation
Approximately three million children under five are potentially affected by the effects of a prolonged drought in 10 out of 18 Angolan provinces. Three years of poor rainfall have particularly impacted five southern provinces: Cunene, Namibe, Kuando Kubango, Benguela and Huila. In Cunene, the hardest hit province, the global acute malnutrition rate has reached 24.4 per cent.
Crop losses in Cunene are expected to reach up to 80 per cent, which could adversely impact over 500,000 people, especially farmers including semi-nomadic communities and children under 5. This represents 50 per cent of Cunene’s population, of which 130,000 are under 5. An additional five provinces have also been identified as likely requiring emergency assistance.
The repercussions of this emergency are many. Affected populations are facing food shortages, which are compromising health and nutritional status. Surface water has been evaporating and available water is often salinated; boreholes that were constructed or rehabilitated through national programmes have dried up due to reduced rainfall. In some areas, people and animals are forced to use untreated stagnant water, resulting in diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases. As a result of these conditions, an estimated 1,571 cases of cholera have been reported in the provinces of Huila, Cunene and Benguela, with 62 casualties. The Ministry of Health (MINSA) has reported an on-going epidemic of dengue fever (over 900 cases and 10 deaths) and an outbreak of measles in 60 per cent of the municipalities across the country, with malnourished children especially vulnerable.
In municipalities neighbouring Cunene, significant cross-border population movements with Namibia have been reported as people search for water and pastures. This increases the risk of communicable diseases such as HIV and cholera, specifically for vulnerable groups such as children and people living with HIV and AIDS, which is highly prevalent among the southern population of Angola. Protection issues including child labour are facing many young boys who have dropped out of school to join the livestock transhumance. Other children are also at risk of exploitation and abuse, particularly those who are primarily responsible for water collection and looking after siblings when caregivers are away for prolonged periods. Reports indicate that some children are leaving their homes in rural areas in search of employment.
Affected provinces are remote with difficult access and dispersed and hard-to-reach populations. Drought is a perennial problem with increased intensity over the last three years. The population’s resilience to these climatic changes is continually challenged, with the need to reach marginalized populations and close the equity gap.
2013 adjusted programme targets
Health and Nutrition
1.8 million children under five (over 60 per cent)screened for acute malnutrition in affected provinces; also receive deworming tablets and Vitamin A supplements;
240,000 children identified with severe and moderate acute malnutrition treated through the community-based management programme;
WASH
216,000 people (36,000 families) living in high-risk drought affected communities provided with safe water and benefiting from improved sanitation and hygiene promotion messages;
30,000 children treated for severe malnutrition at IPF and OTP have adequate access to safe water during treatment;
Child Protection
Provincial emergency contingency plans, containing Child Protection intervention strategy, are in place;
Communication for Development80 per cent of the families with children under 5 in affected provinces are reached with key lifesaving practices, including infant and young children feeding, hand washing, hygiene and child protection and care practices.