ANGOLA FOOD SECURITY UPDATE

July 2003

Highlights ƒ The food security situation continues to improve in parts of the country, with the overall number of people estimated to need food assistance reduced by four percent in July 2003 relieving pressure on the food aid pipeline. The price of the least-expensive food basket also continues to decline after the main harvest, reflecting an improvement in access to food.

ƒ According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the results of both the latest

nutritional surveys as well as the trend analysis on admissions and readmissions to nutritional

rehabilitation programs indicate a clear improvement in the nutritional situation of people in the

provinces considered at risk (Benguela, Bie, Kuando Kubango). However, the situation in Huambo and Huila Provinces still warrants some concern.

ƒ Household food stocks are beginning to run out just two months after the main harvest in the Planalto area, especially for the displaced and returnee populations.

ƒ In response to the current food crisis, relief agencies in Angola have intensified their relief efforts in food insecure areas, particularly in the Planalto. More than 37,000 returnees have been registered for food assistance in Huambo, Benguela, Huila and Kuando Kubango. ƒ The current food aid pipeline looks good. Cereal availability has improved following recent donor contributions of maize. Cereal and pulse projections indicate that total requirements will be covered until the end of October 2003. Since the planned number of beneficiaries for June and July 2003 decreased by four percent, it is estimated that the overall availability of commodities will cover local food needs until end of November 2003.

Improved Food Security Situation

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is undertaking an assessment in Huila to verify the food security situation of the old IDPs and resettled population in Caconda and Caluquembe municipalities, where these groups have been receiving food aid for the past two agricultural seasons. WFP expects that people in these areas have developed the means to cope without further direct assistance, and therefore plans to phase out its operations. Around 33,450 people are likely to be removed from the free food aid distribution plan and be shifted to FFW projects that will be identified by Government together with the communities.

A number of nutritional surveys have indicated a stable to improving food security situation in specific areas. For instance, Medeins Sans Frontieres (MSF) Belgium reports that nutritional surveys conducted in April/May 2003 in IDP camps in Kuito reveal a stable to slightly better picture, with global acute malnutrition rates estimated at six percent (compared to seven in April 2002) and severe acute malnutrition at 0.3 percent. In Camacupa IDP camps, the nutritional situation is also stable.

Simultaneous field security and rapid critical needs assessments were carried out in different areas of Bie Province, including Gamba, Caiei, Dando, Salombinge and Cangondo areas of Nharea Municipality and in Luando area of Cuemba municipality. Preliminary results indicate no critical food needs in these areas. A stable nutritional situation has also been reported by MSF Holland in Cambundi Catembo municipality. The report states that although malnutrition levels are low at the moment, the food situation needs to be closely monitored at the beginning of the lean period.

Improved food security conditions have been reported in Kalandula municipality in Malange province. Many of the returnee farm families in Kalandula have begun to construct traditional granaries, where they are storing maize, peanut and bean seeds in preparation for the coming agricultural season. WFP field staff reported that many traders are coming to Kalandula to buy cassava from residents for re-sale in other areas of the province. The resurgence of trade in the area gives a clear indication that farmers have been able to produce a crop sufficient for the market and build seed reserves for the following cropping season.

Continuing Food Insecurity

Food insecurity remains high in areas where large numbers of returnees continue to arrive. The flow of people into Huambo Province from various family reception areas in the country is particularly high, with a further 6,340 people registered in the last week of June. The areas at highest risk to food insecurity are the localities of Bimbe and Hengue (Bailundo), Tchinhama and Tchiumbo (Catchiungo), Tchipeio (Ekunha), Chilata (Longonjo), Cambuengo (Mungo), Sambo, Samboto (TchicalaTcholoanga), Chiaca (Tchinjenje) and Mundundo (Ukuma). Results of the rapid food needs assessment conducted by the RFNA Group in the southern part of Samboto Commune (Huambo Province), provide clear indications of food insecurity among the returnee population. WFP plans to address the problem through agricultural recovery-oriented assistance.

In Kuando Kubango, the influx of displaced people from Quembo, Tembo and Luengue areas continues, with 580 people arriving during the first week of July in search of humanitarian assistance that could not be delivered to their areas of origin due to continuing security restrictions. IDPs and returnees continue to need food aid in Mavinga, Cuangar, Cuito-Cuanavale, Cuchi and Menongue Municipalities.

Emerging Food Crisis

As the wet season approaches, the food insecurity situation in currently inaccessible areas is likely to deteriorate. Poor road access will limit the food supply through markets, moreover humanitarian agencies will face serious difficulties in reaching current food aid beneficiaries. The distribution of agricultural seeds and tools for the next cropping season will also be compromised. Table 1 shows areas that are likely to face a food crisis as road access conditions deteriorate. Table 1. Areas likely to face food crisis as accessibility conditions deteriorate

Bie Benguela Huambo Kuanza Sul

Municipality Locations Municipality Locations Municipality Locations Municipality Locations Cuemba Luando Balombo Chindumbo Bailundo Bimbe Mussende Mussende Munhango Maka-Mombolo Hengue Quipaxe Sachinemuna Bocoio Chila Luvemba Quienha Nharea Gamba Caimbambo Cayave Catchiungo Tchinhama Sao lucas Chitembo Soma-Kuanza Canhamela Tchiumbo Kassongue Dumbi Mumbué Uya-Ngombe T.Tcholoanga Sambo Atome Mutumbo Cubal Capupa Samboto Cela Sanga Andulo Cassumbe Tumbulo Tchinjenje Tchiaca Ringoma Camacupa Chongorói Camuine Umpulo Ganda Chicuma Catabola Sande Source: WFP Situation Report

Page 2 of 7

Basic Food Basket Prices Continue to Decline after Main Harvest

Prices of the least-expensive food basket have shown a steady decline since the beginning of the main harvest in April/May. (See Figure 1) The weekly price of the food basket has varied only marginally, as a result of adequate supply to Fig. 1. Average weekly cost of the maize-based food basket in the the markets. The gradual Planalto reestablishment of municipal markets brings with it 40.0 opportunities to work and trade. However, market price 35.0 ) differentials across municipal S$ 30.0 U ( t markets remain high, affecting e 25.0 sk the terms of trade between a

b 20.0 d coastal towns and the interior. o o f In Benguela, the basic food f 15.0 o basket price differential showed st 10.0 a slight reduction – from an Co 5.0 average of 40 percent in June to about 35.7 percent in July. 0.0 Feb Feb Feb Mar Mar Mar Mar Apr Apr Apr Apr May May W2 W3 W4 W1 W2 W3 W4 W1 W2 W3 W4 W1 W2 The lowest and most stable food Wee ks basket price is found in the southern province of Huila Benguela Bie Huambo Huila Malange (US$ 13 per month). This is due to a combination of both Source: FWP VAM Database adequate availability of locally produced food as well as the good supply of imported foods from Namibia. Food prices in the cassava-based agriculture provinces of Uige, Malange and Zaire range on average from US$20 to $25/month, while the maize-based central regions have the highest prices at around US$ 35 per month.

Persisting High Malnutrition Rates

Despite general improvements in the nutritional situation, specific concerns remain over high rates of malnutrition reported in parts of the country. According to a UNICEF report, the nutritional situation seems to be particularly fragile in the outskirts of Huambo town. A nutritional survey carried out in May 2003 among children 6-59 months living in Huambo town showed a Global Acute Malnutrition rate (GAM) of <5%, while the Therapeutic Feeding Centres (TFC) in Bailundo and Caala registered in May 178 and 120 new admissions, respectively.

WFP VAM has reported critical nutritional situations in the localities of Bimbe (Bailundo), Tchinhama (Catchiungo), Cumbira and Galanga (Londuimbali), Chilata (Longonjo), Cambuengo (Mungo), Mbave, Sambo and Samboto (Tchic.Tchol.), Tchiaca (Tchinjenje) and Cacomaand Mundundo (Ukuma). The poor nutritional situation results, in part, from limited access to those areas, which in turn limits the provision of adequate health services.

Areas where the situation is less critical, but needs close monitoring include: Hengue, Lunge and Luvemba (Bailundo), Catataand Cuima (in Caála) Tchiumbo (Catchiungo), Tchipeio (Ekunha), Catabola (in Longonjo), Mungo (Mungo), Tchicala Tcholoanmga and Tchinjenje. UNICEF also reported that the nutritional situation in selected parts of Huila required close monitoring. A nutrition survey carried out in the former family reception areas of Matala in March 2003 showed the

Page 3 of 7 highest GAM among children 5-59 months, at 7.4 percent, when compared with the other 9 surveys conducted this year in other parts of the country. It should be mentioned, however, that in June 2002, a survey conducted in the same area reported a much worse GAM rate of 18.7 percent.

Food Stocks at Household Level

Two months after the main harvest, household food stocks are already beginning to run out. Food reserve estimates reported in the last Vulnerability Analysis suggest that in the Planalto region as a whole, IDPs would be able to use their own harvests to meet their cereal and bean consumption requirements for an average period of 10 days, but some would be able to stretch to 51 days at a maximum. The returnee population is slightly better off, meeting an average of 75 days of their maize and beans consumption. Figure 2 shows the current food stock status in selected municipalities of the Planalto.

In Benguela, food stock levels are particularly low in the municipalities of Bocoio, Balombo and Chongorói. It is estimated that the food stocks of 28,600 people are running low, while 125,322 people have already completely run out of their own food stocks. However, an increase in the incidence of extreme coping strategies (such as drastic reduction in the number of meals or sales of productive assets) have not been reported yet, raising the question of how these households are managing to survive, since food assistance currently reaches only 17,431 people.

Fig. 2. Estimated Duration of food stocks in the Planalto Region In Bie, although (Returnees and IDPs) aggregate cereal MM production is MaMallllaannjjjjee higher this year CaCacccooollloloo MMuuussessessessennndddeee LLLuquuquuqueeemmbobobo CaCacccooollloloo PPPooorrrtttotoo A AAmAmbmboiboiboiimm QuQuiiiibbbaaallllaaa LLLuquuquuqueeemmbobobo than in the KuKuaannzzaa SSSSuullll DaDallllaaa previous cropping AnAAnndduldulullooo QuQuQuiiiirrrriiiimmmaaa WWaaakkkuuu----KKuuungongongo AnAAnndduldulullooo NhNhaaarrrreeeaaa SumSumSumbebebe CCaaammaaanonnonnongugugueee year, food stocks SeSeSelllleeesss MuMMuunngongogo for the returnee MuMMuunngongogo LeLeLeuuuaaa KKaaamm CCaaasssssosssononngguegueue BBBaaaiiiilulllundunndodoo CCaaattatataabobboollalalaa CuCueeemmbbbaaa population in CCuuunhinhinhinngangaga LLLobiobiobittttooo CCuuunhinhinhinngangaga BoBoBocccoooiiiiooo LuLuLueeennnaaa Nharea, Catabola, BalBalBalooommbbbooo BalBalBalooommbbbooo EEEkkkuuunnnhhhaaa CChhhiiiinnnguaguaguarrrr HuHuaammbboo CaCCaammaaacccuupaupapa Chinguar and UkUkuuummaaa HuHuaammbboo KKuuuitoitoitoito BBBeeengungungueeellllaaa TTTccchihihinndjndjdjeeenjnnjjjeee TTTccchihihinndjndjdjeeenjnnjjjeee HHuHuuamaammbobboo Duration of Food Stocks Cuemba are also LLLooonngngngogonononnjjjjooo BiBiee CuCCubaubaballll BiBiee (estimated number of days) CaCaiiiimmbbbaaammbbbooo TTTccchhhiiikkkaaallllaaa----TTTccchhholololohoohanhanangagaga MoMoxxiiiiccoo close to depletion. BeBeBengnnggueuelllaa CaCaiiiimmbbbaaammbbbooo TTTccchhhiiikkkaaallllaaa----TTTccchhholololohoohanhanangagaga GaGGandandndaaa CaCaaaallllaaa 86 to 113 The food stocks CCaaacccondondondaaa CChhhiteiteiteitemmbbbooo CChhhongongongorororoooiiii CChhhipipipipinininindddooo 75 to 86 LuLuLuccchhhaaazzzzeeessss 55 to 75 of about 164,000 CaCammaaacccuuuiioiooio CCaaalllluuuquequequemmbbbeee QQuuuileiiillleennnggguueueesss 25 to 55 MMeeennnoongongngueueue people are nearly HHuuilailailaila KKuKuuvvvaaangngongoo 6 to 25 LLLumumumbabbaallllaaa----NN depleted, while NaNammiiiibbbeee NaNammiiiibbbeee CaCacccuuullllaaa BiBBBibiiibbalbalalaaa QQuuiuuiuuiiiiippunppunuunuunngongoggoggooo QQuuuiiiipunppuungongogo JbJaJbJaJbJammbbbaaa CuCuccchhhiiii 114,000 people Source: WFP VAM database have already completely run out of food stocks. The current WFP food distribution programme reaches 228,300 people, including 10,000 from the localities of Cangote (in Chinguar) and Sachinemuna (in Cuemba) who receive assistance in the main district towns.

In Huambo, about 325,000 people have already run out of the food from their own harvest, and have limited capacity to meet their basic food needs. Of these, about 14,545 people are in new resettlement areas, and 192,000 are returnees. Some 176,968 people will see their food stocks depleted in the coming few weeks and will need immediate food assistance.

Page 4 of 7 Relief Response

Findings of the bi-annual VA covering November 2002 to April 2003 suggest that the highest concentrations of people needing assistance fall in areas that experienced the most intense displacement from the conflict, in particular the isolated rural areas of the Planalto region and parts of Kuando Kubango Province. In response to the current food crisis, WFP and other humanitarian agencies (such as the Consortium for Development Relief in Angola - CDRA) have intensified their relief efforts in those areas. The following review provides an update of relief activities in different areas of Angola.

Benguela More than 5,800 internal returnees registered for food assistance in Ebanga, Banga municipality and this additional food assistance is likely to be considered in the food distribution plan for the month of July. Another 2,500 internal returnees were registered in Cubal do Lombo and Chila (areas in Culbal municipality) and food assistance will be provided shortly.

Huambo Around 2,700 internal returnees were registered in Upunda and Lepi areas of Katchiungo and Longonjo Municipalities respectively, and WFP food assistance to these people will be provided under the current activities in these areas. WFP distribution teams reached about 24,000 people in Cuima-Ngove, Catata, Betania, Tchikala-Tcholohanga and Katchiungo. In April/May, WFP assisted about 115,000 people in the localities most at risk of food insecurity and 88,000 in the localities at moderate to high risk of food insecurity.

Kuando Kubango Following an assessment of the situation by WFP and the Ministry of Social Welfare (MIINARS), WFP has committed emergency food assistance to an estimated 9,500 people from various transit centers. Complete food rations have been provided to about 6,000 people (out of 9,500) who were transported by the Government to their areas of origin. The remaining 3,500 people are receiving their food rations in the camps.

Around 6,500 returnees were registered for food assistance during the fist week of July in Caiundo, Capico and Calulu villages in Menongue Municipality. WFP provided food assistance to around 8,000 people who are stranded in the Mavinga transit center awaiting Government transportation to their areas of origin following an assessment by WFP’s partner, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), which reported a critical food shortage situation.

Huila A joint WFP and MINARS team registered around 1,400 internal returnees in Quilengues, Caluquembe and Caconda Municipalities coming from various provinces including Bailundo in Huambo, Galangui in Huila, Cafima in Cunene, Santa Ana in Benguela and Mavinga in Kuando Kubango. Further registration and food distribution reached 830 returnees in Lubango city. However, MINARS has been informed that the influx of returnees into Lubango municipality will further increase in the coming days, increasing concerns over the food security situation.

Increased Relief Response in Other Affected Areas Similar to the central and southern regions, IDPs in the northern part of the country are returning to areas of origin or are establishing new settlements. In Uige, following an assessment and registration mission by the RFNA Group in Bungo Municipality, some 2,400 internal returnees were registered for assistance. In Zaire Province, distribution in Tomboco, began during the last keek of June and 1,370 returnees and residents out of 4,380 registered have already received their WFP rations under the resettlement assistance program.

Page 5 of 7

Current Food Aid Pipeline Fig.3 WFP current and projected pipeline status (Feb. to The current WFP food aid pipeline looks Dec. 03) good, however, one month after publication of the end-of-season vulnerability analysis Cereals report, WFP is carrying out field 90,000 assessments to refine the current caseload, 80,000 and reconcile field operations with current 70,000 and future pipeline commitments, so the current picture is subject to change. Figure 3 60,000 ] shows the current and projected pipeline for T 50,000 cereals and pulses. More details are M

000, 40,000 provided in Table 2. [ 30,000

According to WFP, donors have committed 20,000 around 60% of the resources (or the equivalent of around 226,641 MT of food) 10,000 required to run the current operation. Cereal 0 availability has improved following a recent Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec US contribution of maize. During the months of May and June 2003, WFP Pulses received a cash contribution of one million 10,000 dollars from Russia, which will be used to 9,000 purchase an additional 1,593 MT of maize. 8,000 With these contributions, maize requirements will be covered until the end of 7,000 October 2003. As for pulses, it is expected ] 6,000 that current stocks will meet requirements MT 5,000 000, through November, falling off in December. [ 4,000 3,000 Another cash contribution of USD 500,000 2,000 from the African Development Bank (ADB) 1,000 was received during the same period 0 (May/June), and will be used to purchase Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec salt locally. Since the planned number of beneficiaries for June and July 2003 Requirements Availability Pledges decreased by four percent compared to May 2003 (1,464,555 from 1,530,381), it is Source: WFP estimated that existing commodities will cover local food needs until end of November 2003.

Page 6 of 7 Table 2. Current and projected WFP pipeline (in MT) Commodities Cereals Pulses Oil Salt Sugar Month Requir Avail Gap Requir Avail Gap Requir Avail Gap Requir Avail Gap Requir Avail Gap Feb 16,348 51,740 0.0 1,976 9,119 0.0 1,258 7,156 0.0 204 224 0.0 157 2,050 0.0 Mar 14,720 39,314 0.0 1,842 7,658 0.0 1,160 6,309 0.0 190 150 40 228 1,959 0.0 Apr 17,089 57,837 0.0 2,099 6,718 0.0 1,325 8,421 0.0 216 106 109 189 1,884 0.0 May 17,591 46,698 0.0 2,136 5,171 0.0 1,325 6,932 0.0 220 973 0.0 144 1,379 0.0 Jun 16,659 72,695 0.0 2,000 4,424 0.0 1,242 6,450 0.0 208 1,357 0.0 125 1,419 0.0 Jul 19,707 39,149 0.0 2,156 6,982 0.0 1,341 10,277 0.0 225 1,185 0.0 106 1,621 0.0 Aug 24,203 58,769 0.0 2,646 8,401 0.0 1,658 8,935 0.0 273 959 0.0 231 1,515 0.0 Sep 20,747 34,567 0.0 2,220 5,756 0.0 1,389 7,278 0.0 232 686 0.0 114 1,284 0.0 Oct 21,178 15,733 5,445 2,267 3,932 0.0 1,425 5,889 0.0 238 454 0.0 125 1,170 0.0 Nov 19,683 8,744 10,938 2,120 2,164 0.0 1,340 4,464 0.0 219 219 0.0 135 1,045 0.0 Dec 19,950 3,150 16,800 2,154 644 0.0 1,375 3,149 0.0 223 0 223 158 910 0.0 Source: WFP Angola

FEWS NET and WFP jointly produce on a monthly basis the Angola Food Security Update in collaboration with its partners, including The Consortium for Development Relief in Angola (CDRA) and the National Food Security Directorate (GSA). For more information contact Paulo Filipe, FEWS NET Country Representative by e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone (244) 2 443 926 / (244) 91 512 244. Please visit the FEWS NET Website: www.fews.net/angola

Page 7 of 7