|
<<previous | index | next>> Humanitarian Consequences of the Armed ConflictThe armed conflict in Cabinda never involved the large-scale destruction or “scorched earth” tactics that characterized the civil war between the Angolan government and UNITA. Cabindans therefore have not experienced the extreme hardships regarding food security and access to basic social services witnessed during Angola’s civil war in other provinces.25 There are only a few national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Cabinda and until recently, the government was reluctant to allow international NGOs to operate in Cabinda.26 The Catholic and evangelical churches provide food and clothing to groups of people who are in particular need. The armed conflict has caused significant displacement of the civilian population. According to MINARS, there are 24,696 registered internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the province.27 The majority of displaced have been taken in by families or friends living in the towns, including Cabinda town, and receive little or no assistance from the government. A small number of displaced who moved from their villages in the forest to settle along the main road at Piadinge (Buco Zau municipal district) for security reasons received only limited assistance from the government in the form of food and building materials. The government has refused to provide schools, clinics and running water in Piadinge, as it does not want them to settle there permanently.28 There are 1,320 registered Cabindan refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo and 1,800 registered Cabindan refugees in the Republic of Congo.29 Some of these returnees from the two Congos live in camps near the capital because their villages of origin remain too unsafe. These returnees have received more assistance from the government than the IDPs although the camps lack basic social services, except for schools. The government’s social assistance priorities seem to be concentrated on the demobilization and reintegration of former FLEC combatants. As of August 2004, 2,032 FLEC former combatants were reportedly involved in a demobilization and reintegration program and the FAA hopes that an estimated 2,500 former FLEC combatants will undergo the demobilization and reintegration program.30 The government justifies this expenditure on the grounds that it will dissuade the former combatants from returning to war.31 [25] A World Health Organization (WHO) doctor who visited the province in early 2004 did not find serious malnutrition even though the FAA has restricted access to means of subsistence. The same doctor expressed concern about the lack of basic health facilities in Cabinda, although the situation in Cabinda is similar to that in Angola’s other provinces. Human Rights Watch interview with U.N. official, Luanda, July 30, 2004. [26] Ibid. [27] Ibid. [28] Human Rights Watch interview with Jõao Santos de Carvalho Mesquita (vice-governor of Cabinda), Cabinda town, August 17, 2004. [29] Human Rights Watch email exchange with a UNHCR representative, October 11, 2004. [30] Former FLEC combatants are entitled to a cash payment of U.S. $300 as well as land to build a house and building materials. Human Rights Watch interview with General Marques Correia Banza (regional FAA commander of Cabinda), Cabinda town, August 16, 2004. [31] Human Rights Watch interview with Aldina Matilde Barros Dalomba (provincial director of MINARS, Cabinda town, August 19, 2004.
|