IDPs trickle home to Caxito

Two weeks after a UNITA attack on the Angolan town of Caxito, 55 km from the capital Luanda, small return movements of internally displaced persons (IDPs) were underway, humanitarian sources reported. As evidence of the improved security situation, on 18 May humanitarian agencies received security clearance to renew operations in Caxito and surrounding areas. However, “partners remain deeply concerned about the status of the 60 abducted children whose whereabouts are unknown,” a statement on Monday by OCHA said. The children were seized in a 5 May raid on “Children’s Town” in Caxito, run by the Danish agency Development Aid from People to People (ADPP). Government ministries and humanitarian partners have met with the NGO to discuss strategies for locating the children. ADPP has prepared a list detailing the children’s names and ages and a picture poster has been circulated in order to facilitate identification. A humanitarian mission to the area reported that Caxito, Porto Quipiri and Cambambe II remain largely unpopulated, although limited return movements continue to occur. The provincial government has agreed to provide transportation for voluntary return. Following a coordination meeting on 19 May, UN agencies and NGOs plan to conduct a more thorough humanitarian needs assessment mission to the area during the coming week, the OCHA statement said.