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Angola
Casualties and Victim Assistance
Casualties Overview
|
All known casualties by end 2010 |
Unknown; many thousands |
|
Casualties in 2010 |
42 (2009: 28) |
|
2010 casualties by outcome |
18 killed; 24 injured; (2009: 8 killed; 18 injured; 2 unknown) |
|
2010 casualties by device type |
9 antipersonnel mines; 4 antivehicle mines; 1 unknown mine; 16 ERW; 12 unknown devices |
In 2010, the Monitor identified 42 mine/explosive remnants of war (ERW) casualties in Angola.[1] This is an increase from the 28 confirmed casualties in 2009; however, the 2009 data provided by the Inter-sectoral Commission on Demining and Humanitarian Assistance (Comissão Nacional Intersectorial de Desminagem e Assistência Humanitária, CNIDAH) indicated that there may have been many more casualties, as poor data quality made it impossible to confirm and thus to determine conclusive trends from one year to the next.[2]
Children made up half of all confirmed casualties (21) and the majority of casualties for which the age was known: 10 were boys, eight were girls, and the gender of three children was not known. Most child casualties (15) were caused by ERW; for the other six, the type of victim-activated explosive item that caused the incidents was not known. Mines were the greatest cause of adult casualties: nine having been caused by antipersonnel mines, four by antivehicle mines, and one by a mine of unspecified type.[3]
All casualties where the civil status was known were civilians. Three demining accidents caused six deminer casualties: two in Moxico province and one in Kuando Kubango. All were caused by antipersonnel mines.[4]
No casualties from cluster munition remnants were identified in Angola in 2010. However, given that devices are not adequately differentiated, it is possible that cluster munition remnants casualties were among those recorded as caused by ERW (16) and unknown explosive items (12), which together made up two thirds of all casualties in 2010.
The total number of mine/ERW casualties in Angola is unknown, though estimates range from 23,000[5] to 80,000.[6] No details were available to substantiate these figures, however, and in 2009 it was reported that fewer than 300 casualties were entered in CNIDAH’s central database.[7] By June 2011, 2,198 survivors had been registered in the provinces of Huila and Namibe as part of the national mine/ERW victim survey; 16 provinces remained to be surveyed.[8] Between 2000 and 2010, the Monitor identified 2,734 mine/ERW casualties including 903 killed, 1,686 injured, and 145 for which the outcome was unknown.[9]
No information was available on the number of cluster munition casualties. Angola expected to have more information on cluster munition survivors after the completion of the national victim survey. However the survey questionnaire offers just three options as the cause of disability: “a mine,” “an accident,” or “unknown” and has no place to report on cluster submunitions as the cause.[10]
Victim Assistance
The total number of survivors in Angola is unknown, but there are many thousands. As of May 2011, 2,198 survivors had been identified in the first two (of 18) provinces surveyed as part of the national victim survey.[11]
Assessing victim assistance needs
In October 2010, CNIDAH launched the national victim survey and needs assessment. The purpose of the survey is to identify and register mine and cluster munition survivors with disabilities, understand their living situation, and determine what needs to be done to promote their socio-economic inclusion.[12] By May 2011, the survey had been carried out in Huila and Namibe, two of 18 provinces, and was underway in the provinces of Cunene and Cabinga.[13] Handicap International (HI) reported having received training to assist in the implementation of the survey.[14] However, local participation appeared to be lacking and of nine survivor and disabled persons associations and NGO service providers interviewed in Huila province, just one was consulted in the collection of data in that province. Furthermore, not all the questionnaires completed by this organization were included in survey results.[15] The provincial Ministry of Assistance and Social Reintegration (MINARS) in Huila, with responsibility for maintaining a registry of all persons with disabilities in the province, was also not contacted during data collection.[16]
As of June 2011, survey results from Namibe province, the first province completed, had been shared through a public report launch event held in the province.[17] It was expected that the results from other provinces would be shared in a similar way.
Victim assistance coordination[18]
|
Government coordinating body/focal point |
CNIDAH |
|
Coordinating mechanism |
CNIDAH’s Sub-Commission for Assistance and Reintegration with participation from relevant government ministries including MINARS, the Ministry of Health, and NGOs |
|
Plan |
Victim Assistance Action Plan on National Integrated Action 2007–2011 |
CNIDAH’s victim assistance coordination efforts in 2010 were focused on improving coordination at the provincial level and launching the national victim survey. A victim assistance specialist was employed in the CNIDAH headquarters staff to work with CNIDAH provincial offices to improve victim assistance planning and implementation.[19] Workshops were held in Moxico, Kuando Kubango, Cabinda, and Úige with provincial CNIDAH representatives and other governmental and nongovernmental victim assistance stakeholders, with the aim of developing provincial victim assistance plans. As of June 2011, the first provincial plan had been finalized in Cabinda province.[20] CNIDAH convened a national victim assistance meeting with church leaders in August 2010 to involve churches in the implementation of the last year of the Victim Assistance Action Plan.[21] A national meeting to evaluate progress in implementing the Victim Assistance Action Plan with all victim assistance stakeholders had been planned for 2010 but was canceled due to a lack of funds.[22]
CNIDAH reported that it increased attention and financial resources to provincial coordination of victim assistance.[23] However NGOs involved in victim assistance in Huila province criticized CNIDAH as being almost absent at both the provincial and national levels.[24] A provincial representative of MINARS noted a lack of communication on the part of CNIDAH.[25] Some provincial CNIDAH representatives also stated that they had no information about victim assistance activities in their province.[26]
The National Rehabilitation Program (PNR) coordinates all physical rehabilitation services. However, in 2010, PNR’s capacity was seen to be very weak or even inactive, leaving orthopedic centers to develop their own budgets and find their own sources of raw materials.[27]
Throughout 2010, there were active NGO networks made up of survivors and disabled persons associations in the provinces of Benguela, Huambo, and Huila coordinating advocacy and awareness-raising efforts on the rights of survivors and other persons with disabilities. Provincial NGO networks worked to improve coordination with local authorities on disability issues. [28]
Angola provided updates on its victim assistance progress in 2010 at the Tenth Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in Geneva in December 2010 and at the Convention on Cluster Munitions intersessional meetings in Geneva in June 2011, but not at the First Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Vientiane, Lao PDR in November 2010, nor at the Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings in Geneva in June 2011.[29] Angola provided limited information on victim assistance activities in Form J of its last Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 report submitted, for the period from January 2009 to July 2010.[30]
Survivor Inclusion
Survivors’ associations and disabled persons organizations were invited to provincial CNIDAH victim assistance coordination meetings, but felt that while the meetings were used by CNIDAH to disseminate information, survivors and other persons with disabilities were not included in decision-making.[31] Some survivors and/or representatives of survivors associations collected data for the national victim survey.[32] Survivors implemented socio-economic reintegration projects and were involved in advocacy for the rights of persons with disabilities through survivor associations and disabled persons organizations.[33]
Service accessibility and effectiveness
Victim assistance activities in 2010[34]
|
Name of organization |
Type of organization |
Type of activity |
Changes in quality/coverage of service in 2010 |
|
MINARS |
Government |
Referrals for mobility devices, vocational training and assistance to start income-generating projects |
Ongoing provision of services |
|
Neves Bendinha Rehabilitation Center, Luanda |
Government |
Physical rehabilitation services |
Remained closed for reconstruction for third year |
|
Lubango Rehabilitation Center, Huila |
Government |
Physical rehabilitation services |
Production of prosthetics significantly reduced due to lack of materials and poor condition of physical structure of facility |
|
Menongue Rehabilitation Center, Kuando Kubango |
Government |
Physical rehabilitation services |
Reduced production due to lack of materials and broken generator needed for electricity |
|
Luena Rehabilitation Center |
Government |
Physical rehabilitation services |
Reduced production compared to previous years |
|
Benguela Rehabilitation Center |
Government |
Physical rehabilitation services |
Improved quality due to increased staff capacity; reduced production due to lack of materials |
|
Association of the Hearing Impaired of Huila (ADAH) |
Provincial Disabled Persons Organization |
Referrals for health care; vocational training; peer support |
No change |
|
Angola Red Cross (Cruz Vermelha de Angola, CVA) |
National organization |
Transportation and referrals to victim assistance services |
No change |
|
Angolan Association of Disabled Former Military (AMMIGA) |
National NGO |
Support for socio-economic reintegration; advocacy for disability rights |
Remained a strong and active organization with a small increase in coverage |
|
Association of Disabled Victims of Mines of War of Angola (AMVMGA) |
National NGO |
Primary education and vocational training |
Decreased level of activity due to a decrease in funding |
|
Lwini Foundation |
National NGO |
Support for mobility devices and referrals for Rehabilitation Center |
No change |
|
Angolan Association of Disabled Persons (Associação dos Deficientes de Angola, ANDA) |
National NGO |
Physical rehabilitation, professional training for persons with disabilities, transportation to access services; advocacy |
Continued activities at the same level and assumed responsibility for coordinating a network of NGOs doing advocacy for disability rights in Benguela province |
|
HI |
International NGO |
Capacity-building in community-based rehabilitation |
Increase in geographic area covered overall and in number of beneficiaries, but reduction in activities in Benguela due to a decrease in funding |
There were no significant improvements in the accessibility or quality of victim assistance services in Angola in 2010. A lack of government funding for physical rehabilitation caused a decline in both the quality and accessibility of these services in 2010.[35] A lack of transportation, poor quality of roads, and insufficient availability of accommodation for survivors receiving services made up the greatest obstacles to access services for survivors living outside the provincial capital.[36]
No changes were reported in access or quality of emergency or continuing medical care.
According to CNIDAH, a lack of funding and materials forced some physical rehabilitation centers to reduce the services offered to survivors and other persons with disabilities.[37] Four physical rehabilitation centers reported that they had insufficient materials to meet the demand for mobility devices and that services had declined compared with previous years.[38] Two centers also noted that the poor condition of their facilities and lack of vital equipment and services, such as electricity, restricted their ability to provide adequate rehabilitation services.[39] While the Benguela Rehabilitation Center reported an improvement in staff capacity following training through the Don Bosco School in El Salvador, the Luena Rehabilitation Center had to withdraw staff from the same training program before completion due to insufficient funding.[40] Among respondents to the national victim survey in Huila province, between 50% and 70% stated that they had mobility devices; however, the majority of those with relevant mobility devices responded that the devices were in poor condition. Just 20% of survivors requiring prosthetic arms or hearing devices had these items.[41]
Psychological support services for survivors continued to be essentially non-existent in 2010.[42] As in previous years, some survivor and disabled persons organizations provided peer support services.[43] The ongoing national victim survey did not include any questions regarding access to or need for psychological support.[44]
There were no significant changes in economic inclusion. MINARS continued to provide referrals for vocational training and limited support for income-generating activities.[45] Numerous NGOs also continued to provide training and support for the development of small businesses.[46] Fewer than 15% of victim survey respondents in Huila had formal employment.[47]
While the law prohibited discrimination against persons with disabilities, it was not enforced and discrimination remained prevalent.[48] Despite legislation entitling persons with disabilities to a pension, just 1% of respondents to the national victim survey had received any financial support.[49] There was no legislation mandating accessibility for persons with disabilities to public or private facilities.[50] In 2010, the Protection Law for Persons with Disabilities, drafted in 2000, was aligned with Angola’s new constitution and submitted for a review of its financial implications.[51] As of June 2011, the draft law had not been included among a list of laws pending approval during the course of that year.[52]
As of 15 July 2011, Angola had not signed the CRPD nor was it seen as a priority.[53]
[1] Emails from Helen Tirebuck, Programme Manager, HALO Trust Angola, 15 March 2011; JP Botha, Technical Operations Manager, Mine Advisory Group, 21 February 2011; Aubrey Sutherland, Programme Manager, Norwegian People’s Aid, 1 March 2011; and Fatmire Uka, Operations Manager, DanChurchAid (DCA), 7 March 2011. Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) casualty data provided during interview with Pedro Ribiero Toko, National Advisor to CNIDAH, UNDP, Luanda, 16 June 2011.
[2] Interview with Pedro Ribiero Toko, National Advisor to CNIDAH, UNDP, Luanda, 20 April 2010.
[3] The type of explosive device causing two casualties was not known and one casualty was caused by an ERW.
[4] Emails from Helen Tirebuck, HALO, 15 March 2011; and Fatmire Uka, DCA, 7 March 2011. IMSMA casualty data provided during interview with Pedro Ribiero Toko, UNDP, Luanda, 16 June 2011.
[5] This estimate was reported in the media. See, “Angola to stage ‘Miss Landmine Survivor’ pageant,” Agence France-Presse (Luanda), 26 March 2008, www.kbc.co.ke.
[6] Angola has stated this figure on several occasions. For example, see Statement of Angola, Seventh Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 20 September 2006. Also see US Department of State, “2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Angola,” Washington, DC, 8 April 2011.
[7] Emails from Pedro Ribeiro Toko, UNDP, 17, 18, and 19 June 2009. In 2010, HALO reported that the casualty data the organization provided to CNIDAH was not entered into the central database. Interview with Aurelio Jose, Base Manager, Rory Forbes, Programme Manager, and Marie Demulier, Data and Donor Liaison Officer, HALO, Huambo, 21 April 2010.
[8] CNIDAH, “Relatorio Preliminar Da Provincia Da Huila: Projecto De Recolha De Dados Sobre Pessoas com Deficiência Vítimas de Minas,” (“Preliminary Report of Huila Province: Data Collection Project about Persons with Disabilities Victims of Mines”), Luanda, June 2011, p. 4; and CNIDAH, “Relatorio Preliminar Da Provincia Da Namibe: Projecto De Recolha De Dados Sobre Pessoas com Deficiência Vítimas de Minas,” (“Preliminary Report of Namibe Province: Data Collection Project about Persons with Disabilities Victims of Mines”), Luanda, February 2011, p. 4
[9] See previous Landmine Monitor reports on Angola, www.the-monitor.org.
[10] Statement of Angola, Convention on Cluster Munitions Intersessional Meeting, Session on Victim Assistance, Geneva, 28 June 2011. Questionnaire for national victim survey provided by Maria Madalena Neto, Victim Assistance Coordinator, CNIDAH, Luanda, 16 June 2011.
[11] CNIDAH, “Relatorio Preliminar Da Provincia Da Huila: Projecto De Recolha De Dados Sobre Pessoas com Deficiência Vítimas de Minas,” (“Preliminary Report of Huila Province: Data Collection Project about Persons with Disabilities Victims of Mines”), Luanda, June 2011, p. 4; and CNIDAH, “Relatorio Preliminar Da Provincia Da Namibe: Projecto De Recolha De Dados Sobre Pessoas com Deficiência Vítimas de Minas,” (“Preliminary Report of Namibe Province: Data Collection Project about Persons with Disabilities Victims of Mines”), Luanda, February 2011, p. 4
[12] Statement of Angola, Convention on Cluster Munitions Intersessional Meeting, Session on Victim Assistance, Geneva, 28 June 2011
[13] Interview with Maria Madalena Neto, CNIDAH, Luanda, 16 June 2011.
[14] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Celestino Sorte Feliciano, Coordinator, Community-Based Rehabilitation Project in Benguela, Huambo, Huila e Namibe, HI Angola, 18 April 2011.
[15] The one organization consulted was “Elavoko” or “Hope,” a Reference Center for Persons with Disabilities and War Wounded. Interviews with several local survivor associations and disabled persons organizations during Monitor research mission in Lubango, Huila, 22 June 2011.
[16] Interview with Fabiano Tubias Hilaka, Chief of Department of Assistance and Social Reintegration and Acting Provincial Director, MINARS, Lubango, Huila, 22 June 2011.
[17] Interview with Maria Madalena Neto, CNIDAH, Luanda, 16 June 2011.
[18] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Adriano Gonçalves, Consultant, CNIDAH, 17 March 2008; and Government of Angola/CNIDAH, “Mine Action in Angola Strategic Plan 2006–2011,” Luanda, 2006, p. 40.
[19] Interview with Nsimba Paxe, Victim Assistance Specialist, CNIDAH, Luanda, 16 June 2011.
[20] Interview with Maria Madalena Neto, CNIDAH, Luanda, 16 June 2011; and CNIDAH, “Relatório De Balanço Das Actividades Realizadas Pela Subcomissão De Apoio E Reinserção Social Durante O Segundo Semestre De 2010” (“Report of Activities Realized by the Sub-Commission for Assistance and Reintegration for the Second Semester of 2010”), Luanda, December 2010, p. 3.
[21] CNIDAH, “Relatório Do Workshop Sobre Assistência Às Vítimas De Minas” (“Workshop Report on Assistance to Mine Victims”), Luanda, 25 August 2010.
[22] Interview with Nsimba Paxe, CNIDAH, Luanda, 16 June 2011.
[23] Ibid.
[24] Interviews with several local survivor associations and disabled persons organizations during Monitor research mission in Lubango, Huila, 22 June 2011.
[25] Interview with Fabiano Tubias Hilaka, MINARS, Lubango, Huila, 22 June 2011.
[26] Interviews with Jorge Lombe, Provincial Officer, CNIDAH-Huila, and Tito Canjamba, Quality Control Officer for Huila, Namibe and Cunene provinces, CNIDAH, Lubango, Huila, 22 June 2011.
[27] Interview with Carlos Mendonca, Director, Lubango Rehabilitation Center, Lubango, Huila, 22 June 2011; and telephone interview with Fernando Zola, Administrator, Rehabilitation Center in Luena, Moxico, 4 July 2011.
[28] Domingos Chicamba, President, Associação Provincial de Deficientes Visuais (Provincial Association of People with Visual Impairment, APADEV), Benguela, 7 July 2011.
[29] Statement of Angola, Tenth Meeting of States Parties, Mine Ban Treaty, Geneva, 1 December 2010; and Statement of Angola, Convention on Cluster Munitions Intersessional Meeting, Session on Victim Assistance, Geneva, 28 June 2011.
[30] Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, January 2009 to July 2010.
[31] Interviews with several local survivor associations and disabled persons organizations during Monitor research mission in Lubango, Huila, 22 June 2011.
[32] Ibid.
[33] Domingos Chicamba, APADEV, Benguela, 7 July 2011.
[34] There are numerous national and provincial associations of survivors and persons with disabilities in Angola. Information has been included only from those indicating a significant change in activity and/or who responded to Monitor questionnaires. Interviews with Fabiano Tubias Hilaka, MINARS, Lubango, Huila, 22 June 2011; Carlos Mendonca, Lubango Rehabilitation Center, Lubango, Huila, 22 June 2011; Isabel Massela, Provincial Officer, CNIDAH, Menongue, Kuando Kubango, 24 June 2011; Karmene Patricia Ceita, Projects Coordinator, Fundacao Lwini, Luanda, 26 June 2011; Fernando Zola, Administrator, Luena Rehabilitation Center, Moxico, 4 July 2011; and Domingos Chicamba, APADEV, Benguela, 7 July 2011. Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Celestino Sorte Feliciano, HI, 18 April 2011; Firmino Mahina, AMMIGA, 16 June 2011; Augusto Bartolomeu Bela Amaro, President, ADAH, 19 June 2011; and Alfredo Paiva Freitas, AMVMGA, 19 June 2011.
[35] The closure or reduced capacity of numerous rehabilitation centers was observed during a Monitor research mission in June 2011 and also confirmed by CNIDAH, “Relatório De Balanço Das Actividades Realizadas Pela Subcomissão De Apoio E Reinserção Social Durante O Segundo Semestre De 2010” (“Report of Activities Realized by the Sub-Commission for Assistance and Reintegration for the Second Semester of 2010”), Luanda, December 2010, p. 6.
[36] Interview with Carlos Mendonca, Lubango Rehabilitation Center, Lubango, Huila, 22 June 2011; and telephone interview with Fernando Zola, Rehabilitation Center in Luena, Moxico, 4 July 2011.
[37] CNIDAH, “Relatório De Balanço Das Actividades Realizadas Pela Subcomissão De Apoio E Reinserção Social Durante O Segundo Semestre De 2010” (“Report of Activities Realized by the Sub-Commission for Assistance and Reintegration for the Second Semester of 2010”), Luanda, December 2010, p. 6.
[38] Interviews with Carlos Mendonca, Lubango Rehabilitation Center, Lubango, Huila, 22 June 2011; Isabel Massela, CNIDAH, Menongue, Kuando Kubango, 24 June 2011; and Fernando Zola, Luena Rehabilitation Center, Moxico, 4 July 2011.
[39] Interviews with Carlos Mendonca, Lubango Rehabilitation Center, Lubango, Huila, 22 June 2011; and Isabel Massela, CNIDAH, Menongue, Kuando Kubango, 24 June 2011.
[40] Telephone interview with Fernando Zola, Luena Rehabilitation Center, Moxico, 4 July 2011.
[41] CNIDAH, “Relatorio Preliminar Da Provincia Da Huila: Projecto De Recolha De Dados Sobre Pessoas com Deficiência Vítimas de Minas,” (“Preliminary Report of Huila Province: Data Collection Project about Persons with Disabilities Victims of Mines”), Luanda, June 2011, p. 29.
[42] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Celestino Sorte Feliciano, HI, 18 April 2011.
[43] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Firmino Mahina, AMMIGA, 16 June 2011; Augusto Bartolomeu Bela Amaro, ADAH, 19 June 2011; and Alfredo Paiva Freitas, AMVMGA, 19 June 2011
[44] Questionnaire for national victim survey provided by Maria Madalena Neto, CNIDAH, Luanda, 16 June 2011.
[45] Interview with Fabiano Tubias Hilaka, MINARS, Lubango, Huila, 22 June 2011.
[46] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Celestino Sorte Feliciano, HI, 18 April 2011; Firmino Mahina, AMMIGA, 16 June 2011; Augusto Bartolomeu Bela Amaro, ADAH, 19 June 2011; and Alfredo Paiva Freitas, AMVMGA, 19 June 2011.
[47] CNIDAH, “Relatorio Preliminar Da Provincia Da Huila: Projecto De Recolha De Dados Sobre Pessoas com Deficiência Vítimas de Minas,” (“Preliminary Report of Huila Province: Data Collection Project about Persons with Disabilities Victims of Mines”), Luanda, June 2011, p. 36.
[48] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Celestino Sorte Feliciano, HI, 18 April 2011; and US Department of State, “2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Angola,” Washington, DC, 8 April 2011.
[49] CNIDAH, “Relatorio Preliminar Da Provincia Da Huila: Projecto De Recolha De Dados Sobre Pessoas com Deficiência Vítimas de Minas,” (“Preliminary Report of Huila Province: Data Collection Project about Persons with Disabilities Victims of Mines”), Luanda, June 2011, p. 15; and CNIDAH, “Relatorio Preliminar Da Provincia Da Namibe: Projecto De Recolha De Dados Sobre Pessoas com Deficiência Vítimas de Minas,” (“Preliminary Report of Namibe Province: Data Collection Project about Persons with Disabilities Victims of Mines”), Luanda, February 2011, p. 14.
[50] US Department of State, “2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Angola,” Washington, DC, 8 April 2011.
[51] CNIDAH, “Relatório da Reunião entre a CNIDAH e a 7ª Comissão da Assembleia Nacional,” (“Report of the Meeting between CNIDAH and the 7th Commission of the National Assembly,”), Luanda, 15 April 2011.
[52] Interviews with several local survivor associations and disabled persons organizations during Monitor research mission in Lubango, Huila, 22 June 2011.
[53] Domingos Martins Ngola, Member of Parliament and President, AMMIGA, Luanda, 17 June 2011.
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