Security situation "generally calm" - WFP

The security situation in Angola was described as generally calm, despite reports of scattered military incidents "in areas near and surrounding several provincial capitals", the World Food Programme (WFP) said in its latest weekly report. However, the onset of the rainy season had "increased the general fear of attacks" by UNITA rebels, resulting in the continued influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to the larger towns under government control, and where WFP's presence provides a minimum guarantee of food security. According to WFP, in the southern province of Benguela, over 40 houses were reportedly looted in an attack by an "armed group" in the neighbourhood of Libata, 3 km from Balombo town, near Benguela. A commercial convoy travelling from Benguela to Balombo was "allegedly ambushed" on 28 November, near the town of Rainha, 25 km from the town of Balombo, the WFP report said. As a result of the attack, at least three people were reportedly killed and many more were injured. The injured were taken to Lobito hospital for treatment. Witnesses reported that several persons remain missing, and it is presumed they were kidnapped. The road from Kuito to Camacupa in the strategic central province of Bie remained "under alert" during the reporting week as a result of an earlier landmine accident. Both the security situation and the maintenance work required to keep traffic along the route open and safe are "a matter of concern to WFP and humanitarian organisations working in Camacupa", the food agency said. Camacupa is 20 km from Kuito, the Bie provincial capital. Some 8,222 IDPs from Camacupa were registered in Kuito from 26 November to 2 December, WFP said. Most of the IDPs were said to have fled military activity in villages surrounding Camacupa. The number of malnourished children admitted in Kuito therapeutic centres was registered at 395 for the month, against 382 in October. In the supplementary feeding centres, at least 2,391 children were admitted in November, against 2,227 children in October, WFP said.