Date : 04/2000

Country/Region : ANGOLA

Title : Angola, Huambo and Kuito, April 2000

Duration : 00:03:08

Director : SIDLER, Roland

Cameraman : SIDLER, Roland

Editor : unknown

Keyword : DISABLED PERSON; RUINS; TESTIMONY; CAMP; LIMB-FITTING CENTRE; LIMB-FITTING; ANTI-PERSONNEL MINE; LIMB-FITTING WORKSHOP; CONVOY; DEMINING; ICRC SIGN; DISPLACED PERSON

Confidentiality level : public

Publication restrictions : publication without restrictions

Copyright : ICRC

Production company : ICRC

ICRC producer :
none

Description : Thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes as fighting erupts again in Angola. Hopes of a peace settlement between the rebel UNITA forces of Jonas Savimbi and the government of Angola ended with a breakdown in dialogue. Sporadic fighting broke out in the Planalto region and thousands of villagers were forced to seek shelter in camps near the towns of Huambo and Kuito. About 200,000 displaced people are registered around Huambo and some 114,000 in the vicinity of Kuito. In the Chipata camp near Kuito alone, there are 13,000 displaced people living in temporary housing or converted buildings. In the camp at Kuando, 35 km from Huambo, the local morgue is being used to accommodate displaced people. Fresh fighting comes on top of the deadly legacy of almost 20 years of war in Angola. Millions of mines are still scattered all over the Planalto, which means that displaced people living in camps cannot cultivate the nearby fields safely. They are limited to growing crops in small areas which have already been de-mined. Intensive planting in these few safe areas results in exhausted soil and poor crops. Indications are that the next harvest will be inadequate and that food (wheat, maize, oil, salt and sugar), drinking water and tools will need to be supplied to the entire displaced population. In addition to distributing food and water the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has set up programmes to limit the spread of disease by teaching the basics of health care and hygiene to displaced people living in camps. Hundreds of people are still being injured or killed by mines in Angola. Mine victims are fitted with artificial limbs at the ICRC physical rehabilitation centre in Bomba Alta (close to Huambo).

Original language : International soundtrack

English title : Angola, Humabo and Kuito, April 2000

Colour/B&W : colour

Original material/format : Betacam SP

Best material/format available : Betacam SP