Angola
Angola - 1.1 Angola Humanitarian Background

Disasters, Conflicts and Migration

Natural Disasters

Type

Occurs

Comments / Details

Drought

Yes

https://www.wfp.org/news/drought-south-western-angola-drives-severe-hunger

Earthquakes

No


 

Epidemics

Yes

Yellow fever (2016), Cholera

Extreme Temperatures

Yes

It is particular to a small region in the southern coastline where rain is almost non-existent therefore typical desert weather conditions. 

Flooding

Yes

2019 Flash floods Huambo, Angola in September

2020 Floods; Angola in January

Source: Angola | IDMC (internal-displacement.org)

Insect Infestation

Yes

https://www.wfp.org/news/drought-south-western-angola-drives-severe-hunger

Mudslides

Yes

Possibility to happen

Volcanic Eruptions

No


 

High Waves / Surges

No


 

Wildfires

Yes

Seasonal Fires are Burning in Angola (nasa.gov)

Fire (nasa.gov) (video to observe the fire on the last 20 years)

High Winds

No


 

Other Comments


 

Man-Made Issues

Civil Strife

No

 

International Conflict

No


 

Internally Displaced Persons

Yes

As of 31/12/2020 – 790 IDP’s

https://www.internal-displacement.org/countries/angola

Refugees Present

Yes

At the end of 2020, Angola hosted more than 56,000 refugees and asylum seekers. The majority of refugees came from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Mauritania. They are located in several provinces across Angola, including Luanda and Lunda Norte.

https://www.unhcr.org/angola.html 

Landmines / UXO Present

Yes

Angola has landmines and explosives remnants from a four decade armed conflict, which finished by 2002.

Angola is a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty. It is not party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW).

(http://www.the-monitor.org/en-gb/reports/2021/angola/cluster-munition-ban-policy.aspx

Other Comments


 


 

For a more detailed database on disasters by country, please see the Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters.


 

Seasonal Effects on Logistics Capacities

Seasonal Effects on Transport

Transport Type

Time Frame

Comments / Details

Primary Road Transport

September/April rain season

According to the World Bank’s AICD, transportation causes a significant bottleneck in Angola’s economy. World Bank and AICD estimates of paved roads ranging between 10.4% and 17%.

During the raining season still, the main transport routes are traversable. Specifically, the main links in the western half of the country appear to be in reasonable condition, while roads on the eastern side are sparser and more dilapidated with prolonged inaccessibility.

Landmines - Remain a problem outside major urban areas.

NB: Security related to delinquency should be a concern for cargo and passengers during transit with emphasis to Luanda region and Cabinda Province.

Secondary Road Transport

September/April- Rains & Import season

Roads and bridges are often washed away by sudden floods during the rainy season.

Special attention to landmines that may become displaced and end up outside recognized minefields.

NB: Albeit the general thrust in security, safe travel remains an issue due to organized crime in Luanda region and army groups in Cabinda Province.

Rail Transport

N/A

The rail system in Angola consists of three main railways that were built eastwards from the coast during colonial times, linking Angola’s key Atlantic ports to the interior.

Many of these lines were destroyed during the 27-year-long civil war. However, railway lines have just recently been rehabilitated and rebuilt or are still under construction therefore, no relevant seasonal impact yet to be reported for this sector. 

Air Transport

September/April-Rains & Import season

Safety is the major concern for Angolan carriers which may be exacerbated by abnormal weather conditions.

Upsurge of freight during the festivity season (December/January) increasing delivery time and logistics bottlenecks

Waterway Transport

September/April-Rains & Import season

Worsens performance of port operations and increases vessel berth delays which together with bureaucracy and the service costs said to be the basis for diversion of shipments to neighbouring ports (i.e. Walvis Bay) for later transshipment.    

 

Most of the freight in Angola is transported by road on trucks, since; (1) inland water navigation or coastal shipping are not an option or not efficient/cost competitive vis-vis road transportation;

(2) few railway lines have just started operations and or still under development; (4) air traffic is not the most cost efficient for larger volumes of cargo.

As per the above the relevance of the seasonal effects to the road transport logistics network in special when connected to the Luanda Port Corridor, point of entry of 80% of the country imports is of pivotal importance.

Main seasonal effects are: (5) Flash floods during the long raining season period which can destroy bridges and move landmines from identified sites; (6) Import season which coincides with the raining season may create berth delays therefore increasing trucks stand-by and increase truck travel time.

 

Seasonal Effects on Storage and Handling

Activity Type

Time Frame

Comments / Details

Storage

From September to April

Majority of storage available is not suitable for storage of food commodities since do not have temperature control and its designs (i.e. few warehouses built with covered reception area) are not the most adequate to protect from heat and humidity.

This is worsened during the raining season, period of major movement of agricultural inputs; food imports; and/or incremental of buffer stocks activities.

Readiness with storage equipment such as pallets and tarpaulins are important to assist on safety of cargo stored.

Handling

N/A

Manual labour is the most used for manipulation of cargoes stores. The massive unemployment rate provides surplus of manual labour available anywhere in Angola however, workers are unskilled therefore, rough handling of cargo and consequent damages should be expected.

As per the above is essential warehouses to be prepared with adequate storage equipment for re-bagging operations.

Other


 

 

 

Quality monitoring of commodities specially during raining season is a must in an environment of poor quality of food storage which increases the risk of infestation by insects & rodents. Extra attention when prolonged storage unavoidable when fortified commodities are involved since vitamins/minerals are easily lost under heat.

Pre-planning in providing EDP/FDP locations with sufficient & adequate reconditioning materials including i.e. fumigants and rodents/insect traps is pivotal.

NB: Other point for the attention is existence of certified fumigation companies therefore, training of WFP staff to adequately monitor basic functions of fumigation services must be considered.

 

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