WFP cargo and passenger flights resume today

Press Release
By the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Angola

Luanda, Friday 22 June: The Humanitarian Coordinator, a.i., Mr. Ronald Sibanda, announced that cargo and passenger flights by the World Food Programme would resume today. WFP flights were suspended on Friday 15 June following two attacks against WFP aircraft. The first attack occurred on 8 June over Luena and the second on 15 June over Kuito.

The flight suspension seriously hampered the humanitarian relief effort in Angola, where more than two million people, at least 15 percent of the population, receives some form of international assistance. The deteriorating security situation in the country, combined with the effects of recent flooding and on-going displacement, are creating life-threatening conditions in several locations in the country.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that acute conditions exist in at least 14 inaccessible locations and that there may be additional pockets of severe deprivation in other areas where agencies are unable to operate. International organisations are currently able to reach only those populations in provincial capitals and a handful of near-by locations due to insecurity and poor infrastructure. Insecure roads and broken bridges continue to drastically limit surface transport, forcing WFP to transport 60 percent of all assistance by air.

The Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. expressed serious concern regarding humanitarian conditions in Kuito where 200,000 people rely on food assistance to survive. Malnutrition levels in Kuito and Camacupa reached acute levels in April and May as a result of persistent warfare, large-scale displacement and food insecurity. By early June, humanitarian assistance had been stepped up in these locations by opening new supplementary feeding centers and launching general food distributions in Camacupa. OCHA estimates that tens of thousands of people from surrounding communes are still searching for safety and assistance and will continue to try to enter Kuito.

"The attack on WFP aircraft has jeopardized the progress we are making in Kuito and Camacupa and is putting the lives of thousands at risk," Mr. Sibanda said. "The resumption of flights will help us to save lives."

The Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. also noted that the grave situation in Kuito will only stabilise when the airstrip is finally repaired, allowing full delivery of humanitarian assistance. The appalling condition of the airstrip has impeded delivery for more than 18 months. At present, WFP is able to deliver less than 60 percent of relief requirements to Kuito.

The Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. described the role of the United Nations relief agencies as helping the Government to meet the humanitarian needs of its people. Mr. Sibanda said: "We are here to help the Government help its people. The main responsibility for solving the crisis in Kuito and other hard-hit locations is with the Government. We are in Angola to compliment Government efforts."