DREF Bulletin no. MDRAO002

Glide no. FF-2007-000020-AGO

ANGOLA: FLOODS 30 January 2007

The Federation’s mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world’s largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 185 countries. In Brief This DREF Bulletin is being issued based on the situation described below reflecting the information available at this time. CHF 90,764 (USD 74,397 or EUR 56,463) has been allocated from the Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to respond to the needs in this operation. This operation is expected to be implemented over 5 months, and will be completed by 30 June 2007; a Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation. Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.

This operation is aligned with the International Federation's Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to meet the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".

Global Agenda Goals: • Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters. • Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies. • Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability. • Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.

Background and current situation Since 21 January 2007, Angola’s capital city Luanda has been experiencing heavy rains which caused damage to infrastructure and displaced thousands of people. Five municipalities of Luanda Province were affected, according to the preliminary information received from the Angolan Civil Protection Department. It is estimated that 3,000 families are without shelter since houses were destroyed by flooding from heavy rains. On 25 January 2007, at the Cacuaco Municipality coordination meeting, it was reported that 60 people had died, 11 are missing, and 400 families have lost all personal belongings in Cacuaco municipality, which is one of the worst affected. A total of nine suburbs (barrios) in Cacuaco are severely affected and these are also the areas in which most of the cholera cases have been reported since the outbreak in February 2006. The Ministry of health has warned that the cholera outbreak might spread due to flooding from the heavy rains. Kilamba Kiaxi another municipality of Luanda is estimated to be 40% underwater, and a high number of cholera cases are reported.

Several roads were submerged while bridges to and from Kalimba Kiaxa, Cacuaco, Samba and Ingombota municipalities are impassable. The communication link between Cacuaco and Luanda City is completely disrupted. Some cars were swept away to the ocean and some with the people inside and were floating 200-300 meters in the water.

The government is combining efforts with humanitarian agencies in providing temporary shelter for affected families. These efforts are being challenged by the persistent heavy rains. The government is using helicopters to deliver food to affected communities, assisted by the police and army. Assessments are being conducted from the

Angola: Floods; DREF Bulletin no. MDRAO002 helicopter aerial view. However, due to the evolving situation statistical information has not been fully evaluated as full assessments on the situation have not been completed because of the incessant rain, and many areas remain inaccessible. In the interim, the government is planning to relocate all the affected families.

Red Cross and Red Crescent action The Angola Red Cross (ARC) established a taskforce to coordinate the response operation, comprised of the new secretary general, finance director, health and disaster management ccoordinator. The task force meets on a daily basis to provide updates and adjust the plan of action. The ARC, through its 50 volunteers and in coordination with the Cacuaco municipality health authority, is working on relief activities such as distribution of relief items, community first aid, health and hygiene promotion and sanitation activities. The CHF 90,764 (USD 74,397 or EUR 56,463) released from the Federation’s DREF will be used to support these actions.

The needs All the needs have not yet been fully confirmed as the situation is still evolving. It is anticipated that the humanitarian needs will include the provision of shelter, clean water supply, soap, clothes and jerry cans. In support of government efforts, the ARC plans to assist 1,000 families with tarpaulin, kitchen sets, oral rehydration solution (ORS), soap and chlorine solution for household water treatment.

Coordination The Civil Protection Department has formed a taskforce/coordination group, which meets daily. The task force, chaired by the General from General Fire Brigade, is comprised of the Angola Red Cross, MSF, WHO and other government departments The Municipalities Administrators reports daily and through the governor updates the task force. The Military is responsible for search and rescue, and transport. The police are involved in identification of dead and investigation. The Ministry of Health, supported and MSF and WHO, is responsible for disease surveillance, setting up of treatment centers at collection points, and vaccination. The Ministry of Social Rehabilitation is responsible for shelter and logistics. The ARC is supporting the government in health hygiene, tracing, and community first aid provision of non-food items.

For further information specifically related to this operation please contact: • In Angola: Warter Bombo Guange Quifica, Secretary General, Secretary General, Angola Red Cross, Luanda ; Email: [email protected]; Phone: +244.2.33.39.91; Fax: +244.2.39.11.70 • In Angola: Martin Acosta, Programme Coordinator, Angola Delegation, Luanda; Email: [email protected]; Phone: + 244.222.372.868; Fax: +244.222.372.868 • In Zimbabwe: Françoise Le Goff, Federation Head of Southern Africa Regional Delegation, Harare; Email: [email protected]; Phone: +263.4.70.61 55; 263.4.72.03.15; Fax: +263.4.70.87.84 • In Geneva: John Roche, Federation Regional Officer for Southern Africa, Africa Dept., Geneva; Email: [email protected]; Phone: +41.22.730.44.40, Fax: +41.22.733.03.95

All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.

For longer-term programmes in this or other countries or regions, please refer to the Federation’s Annual Appeal. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for national society profiles, please also access the Federation’s website at http://www.ifrc.org

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