SECRETARIAT - 150 route de Ferney, P.O. Box 2100, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland - TEL: +41 22 791 6033 - FAX: +41 22 791 6506

www.actalliance.org

Situation Report (SitRep)

Severe drought in Angola Country: Angola

SitRep No. 3

Country Angola Name of ACT forum Angola ACT forum

ACT appeal title Situation report 3 and number Severe drought in Angola number Appeal number: Angola (AGO131)

Report prepared by Abrao Mushivi – PME Date of situation 10 October, 2013 Officer, LWF/DWS Angola report responding for ACT Forum

PART ONE

Situation overview

1. Briefly describe any major developments in the emergency since the last situation report. Southern region of Angola continues to be invaded by the severe drought so ever in 30 years that is affecting the populations. The situation is now becoming unbearable for subsistence farmers and cattle herders. The situation is feared to worsen in the coming months until the next expected rains in November. Most of the youth are migrating to the cities in search of casual employment to support their families back home. Cattle herders are traveling long distances in search for pasture and water for their cattle. In some schools in Unonge and Unonge in Namacunde and Onepolo in Ombandja municipalities, teachers are abandoning their schools going to the cities due to water and food stuffs which are becoming more expensive. There are reported numbers of children absconding from schools or leave classes before the actual knocking off time. The situation along the border with Namibia is all the same consequently more severe where some families are migrating to join their families in Namibia in search of water. Information gathered during visits to these areas (Unonge and Unonge in Namacunde and Onepolo in Ombandja municipalities) indicate that people living along or near the border line with Namibia are walking 7 – 15 km to get into there to fetch. Water for drinking is free but for cattle is paid for US$5. In Gambos municipality in Huila province food and water problems are becoming worse in most of the families. The government is not responding to the emergency and the poverty level in the affected communities is still endemic despite the country’s economic growth. Coping mechanisms have thus weather-beaten, Severe drought in Angola (AGO131) SitRep 3

2 leaving the populations fragile with little ability to cope due to a continued deterioration situation. Most of the youth are migrating to cities in search of means of sustainable for the families back home in the rural areas.

Poor sanitation is another concern. Latrines are not seen in the rural areas and there are not enough sanitation facilities. People are using the same man-made dams “Chipaka” for drinking water, washing and animal drinking only sources making it non optional for the people. Most of the man-made dams have completely dried up. Men, women and children are digging big and deep wells to reach water table.

Vulnerable households (men and women) who have fallen into the poverty group find themselves turning to drinking local alcohol. Alcohol is consumed as an alternative because it is accessible and affordable unlike food staffs which are expensive in the shops. The children in the end are the victims of poverty in the drought affected areas where they are usually used to fetch water and gather wild fruits and roots for food.

2. What are peoples’ most pressing needs? In all communities visited, the most pressing needs are food and water. Families are eating one meal a day which consists of maize meal or millet or go out without a meal. The government response to the crisis is not showing any tangible indications. In very rare cases or no food is being distributed in the rural drought affected areas.

Pasture is needed for livestock to survive as grazing grass is dried up. It is not an easy task because there are no commercial farms which produce animal fodder where some cattle herders can go to acquire the fodder.

Apart from immediate address of food insecurity, other longer term restoration programs studies needs to be initiated along side with the current food insecurity. In future, the rural communities require empowerment through trainings and support to increase their income opportunities and diversification of livelihoods. Emergency preparedness should be mainstreamed into the system which the government is not yet addressing. Gender Based Violence (GBV) and alcoholism should be tackled alongside of children protection.

World Vision Angola will be contacts to access the report on the malnutrition of children survey conducted in Gambos municipality in Huila province to know the level of malnutrition of children in the referred municipality where ACT forum Angola is responding to emergency.

3. How does the ACT forum and Church anticipate the situation developing over the next month? In the coming months until the next harvesting season, the impact of the drought will significantly worsen. The next onset of rains is expected to be in November, but the crops for the next harvest are to be ready by March or April next year 2014. Currently many households do not have enough food or nothing in stock including agriculture seeds and the situation is going to deteriorate rapidly. To most vulnerable households, malnutrition may strike as food stocks are not sufficient or nutritious. Currently government and civil society response is irregular and the per capita per person is 3 – 4 kg of cereal, even though the government keeps on promising to respond.

Severe drought in Angola (AGO131) SitRep 3

3

Without a response, mortality may become a reality, especially amongst children. Further to this, there are no international agencies responding. Political parties are showing their solidarity on political ground which is not regular and sustainable. So far only World Vision and UNICEF are conducting surveys on the impact only for post emergency (future intervention) not as immediate response for life serving.

Funding overview

The current LWF Angola ACT appeal fund disbursement is $169, 486 against the total budget appeal 740, 799 representing 22.87% of the total appeal. Unfortunately, Geneva communicated the mistake of transferring the sum of $200, 000 (refer to Sitrep 2, date 9th September) of which $100, 000 was meant for Namibia¹ appeal thus ACT forum Angola had to adjust the budget to $100, 000.

Date Donor Pledged Received Balance 7-Jul Christian Aid UK $ 30,360.00 22-Jul Wider Church Ministries USA $ 4,000.00 13-Aug Disciples of Christ USA $ 6,000.00 14-Aug ELCA USA $ 100,000.00¹ 16-Aug Primates WRDF Canada $ 29,126.00 10-Oct FELM (EUR 82,400*US$1.3537) $ 111,544.88 Norwegian Church Aid $ 60,000.00

Sub Totals $171,544.88 $ 169,486.00

Grand Total $ 571, 313.00

ACT forum emergency response

The ACT forum has now set up and established the drought emergency response intervention, working together with the implementing partners; Action for Rural Development and Environment (ADRA) in Huila province and the Igreja Evangelica Luterana de Angola (IELA) in Cunene province respectively. Meetings with local government authorities in the respective affected are were conducted to initiate the emergency response through WASH component in the respective drought affected appeal selected areas. The appeal outline and objectives set is to build a way forward for future intervention through restoration of the drought population livelihood.

The response will be for a period of one year with food distribution, WASH, diversified livelihood and disaster risk reduction. Initially food distribution is planned for three to four months. Post emergency response will focus on Livelihood diversification and disaster risk reduction to build community resilient to future disasters.

The ACT forum Angola continued campaigns in all churches in Luanda has resulted into contribution of 13.857 metric tons of assorted food and non food items (NFIs) to be transported to the drought affected provinces. The contributions for solidarity continue.

The ACT forum response team is already working in the field in collaboration with the implementing partners, ADRA in Huila and IELA in Cunene, church and traditional leaders and local government authorities in the targeted communities. Identification and registration of beneficiaries completed. The

Severe drought in Angola (AGO131) SitRep 3

4 second part of the first of the appeal response through food distribution process covered 660 beneficiaries of whom 416 (63%) are women and children received their first food rations. The total beneficiaries covered to-date is 1, 100 of whom 693 (63%) are women and children orphans. A huge procurement of 72, 030 tons of basic food staffs (mealie meal, beans, cooking oil & salt) is in process. The target is 4, 900 vulnerable beneficiaries. Food distribution will continue for 3 – 4 months up to December covering 6, 000 targeted beneficiaries on monthly food ration through the most critical hunger periods.

The Norwegian Church Aid HQ through the Norwegian Church Aid Angola program (ACT forum member) sent a WASH advisor (water, sanitation and hygiene) in September conduct an assessment on WASH ACT forum component for future action. The Norwegian Church Aid Angola program is facilitating the implementation of the WASH component of the appeal. Field visits were and detailed assessment was conducted. Meetings with local administration authorities, church leaders and community members were convened. A WASH technical report will be shared by the NCA WASH advisor. Broken water pumps, traditional wells and manmade dam were visited with the purpose for the rehabilitation. One company which sales wheel water pumps and spare parts in preparation to order spare parts for the rehabilitation of targeted water pumps.

The planned workshop on emergency preparation and DRR scheduled for October for ACT forum members, church and traditional leaders and local government authorities from the drought affected municipalities did not take place due to underfunding.

The basic humanitarian guidelines were elaborated to guide the emergency response team to comply to ensure transparence and accountability.

The Emergency Coordinator continued to monitor and support the response team and implementing partners on the drought situation and guide on ACT Alliance guidelines and policies.

Cunene the most severe drought province was visited by the LWF Geneva delegation led by General Secretary, Rev. Martin Junge; accompanied by Rev. Eberhard Hitzler, the LWF/DWS Director; Bishop Alex Malasusa, the Presiding Bishop of Lutheran Churches in eastern Africa, and Rev. Elieshi Mungure, LWF Africa Area Secretary. Meetings were held with provincial government and Ombandja municipal local administration authorities where the government gave a general context and impact of the drought situation. Onepolo population was also visited where the delegation had opportunity to see a manmade dam “Chimpaka” and had discussion with the affected population and the local leaders. Other consultative meetings were held with CICA members, ACT forum Angola members and national government authorities in Luanda.

As a result of the suffering which was witnessed by the delegation, 32, 000 liters of water were donated and distributed to the 512 people, 391 women and children of Onepolo in municipality of Ombandja in Cunene province. This was the spirit of solidarity to the Onepolo population by the LWF Geneva delegation after their visit to the area.

Challenges facing ACT forum

What challenges does the ACT forum face and what is needed to meet those challenges? Severe drought is raiding the livelihood into of poverty. Manifestation of poverty includes loss of purchase power due to drop in cattle selling price, high cost of consumable goods, water and sanitation,

Severe drought in Angola (AGO131) SitRep 3

5 children absconding in schools. The second challenge is slow appeal funding to accelerate the response according to the objectives. Transport is another challenge as the appeal response is depending on partners transport.

All actors need involved in strong advocacy with respective relevant institutions, both public and private. Increase fund raising at ACT forum Angola and, LWF and ACT Alliance Geneva. Future transport consideration should be well planned to attain the desired results.

Are there any other issues to be noted? The drought situation continues to slowly devastate the environment showing a danger scenario to human development and environment especially in the coming months. There is no sign of rains yet though in other parts of the country rains have fallen three to four times.

The food distribution has at least reduced the drought impact in vulnerable families reached out by the distribution, although all appeal set objectives needs to be addressed for future restoration of their livelihood.