Pockets of extreme need remain

Aid agencies are still finding pockets of desperate need in Angola's remote areas, six months after the signing of a ceasefire agreement between the government and UNITA rebels. In its latest situation report, the World Food Programme (WFP) described the situation as "critical" in two locations in southeastern Cuando Cubango province. A joint WFP and UN security assessment team estimated that 23,000 people needed immediate humanitarian assistance in the areas of Likwa and Rivungo bordering Zambia. Furthermore, a rapid assessment mission conducted by WFP in newly accessible areas of Luxinda-Sachicapo, Mwambumba, Samaiena and Samuxita along the road to Cacolo, about 60 to 80 km east of the town of Cacolo in northeastern Lunda Norte province, "indicated a high degree of vulnerability to food security among the 700 people who returned to those locations in May 2002". "Problems included the lack of agricultural inputs and sources of income and child health and nutritional deficiencies. WFP registered these people and will provide food assistance as of October 2002," the agency said. Seeds and tools for the upcoming agricultural season would also be provided. WFP would also participate in a joint rapid assessment mission of critical needs in Pango Aluquem and Ucua in Bengo province next week. But poor transport infrastructure and the danger of landmines were still barriers to accessing some areas. "An anti-tank mine exploded on the main access road from Chinguar to Chignama in Huambo province. At least another two anti-tank mines are also suspected on the road that is now closed to humanitarian agencies pending mine clearance. A landmine exploded on the road between the Cuango River and Xa-Muteba (Lunda Norte), killing 12 of the 20 passengers travelling from Muxinda to Xa-Muteba," WFP said. The repair of the Chanhora bridge by the Ministry of Public Works had enabled "WFP to deliver food to assist returnees in Cambandua and Ndele family reception areas" in Bié province, in the central highlands. WFP spokesman Marcelo Spina-Hering told IRIN agencies were finding fewer "pockets of desperation". "For the 60 new areas that we have assisted over the past month the situation has improved. The problem now is to keep feeding these people and keep going with the assistance. We've lately been facing problems with stocks, we hope we get enough stocks until people are stable enough to provide for their own survival needs," Spina-Hering said. The situation in the reception areas for families of former UNITA rebels had improved since WFP began distributing in the camps, and Spina-Hering described the state of these camps as "fairly stable". He was awaiting feedback from WFP's implementing partners on the situation in the UNITA soldiers quartering areas. The government and UNITA signed a ceasefire in April, fter almost three decades of civil war.