The Angola provinces of Benguela and Namibe were hit by floods in
middle April with an estimated 25,000 people affected. The floods
left a trail of destruction with hundreds of mud houses literally
washed away resulting in thousands of people being displaced and left
in the open without shelter. At least 3,500 hectares of land in commune
of Dombe Grande under cultivation was completely submerged and crops
damaged. Infrastructure such as roads and bridges were extensively
damaged making movement by road impossible. Sources of water were
polluted and the sanitation systems destroyed making the area susceptible
to infectious diseases.
The lack of shelter exposed people to the hot sun during the day
and cold at night. The WHO working with the local government authorities
tried to respond to some of the needs through training of local health
workers covering case detection and investigation and effective ways
to educating communities about how best to protect themselves. WFP
also worked with the government to provide initial two months food
ration to the most vulnerable especially the children and women.
The Evangelical Congregational Church in Angola (IECA) a member of
ACT, made initial assessments of the situation in the two provinces
to determine the urgent needs of the affected people. The following
were identified as the critical needs; food, blankets, corrugated
iron sheets, soap, clothing, tents, kitchen utensils, and medicines.
IECA proposes to target up to 1,500 families of 9,000 people with
critical needs including food for a six months distribution. The estimated
cost of their response is US$470,000 whose appeal proposal is under
preparation by IECA to be submitted to the ACT Coordinating Office
in the coming week or two. IECA’s response will be limited to Dombe
Grande and Namibe areas.
We would appreciate indication of support to the appeal when issued.
