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Annex I

Affected Communities Researched by Human Rights Watch and SOS Habitat

Below is a table containing basic information about the affected communities visited by Human Rights Watch and SOS Habitat. The data refers to the situation as of December 2006.230 

Name of Community

Cambamba I, Cambamba II, Banga We, and 28 de Agosto.

Description

Former agricultural areas which were later also occupied for residential use; completely destroyed by repeated demolitions.

Families Affected

At least 724 families.

Stated Purpose of Eviction

Development of the government’s housing project Projecto Nova Vida (residences for civil servants and high cost condominiums for commercial sale).

Situation of Residents

Approximately 100 evictee families living in shacks built out of demolition debris, waiting for adequate negotiations with the government on compensation and relocation.

Name of Community

Bairro da Cidadania

Description

Former agricultural area which was later also occupied for residential use; completely destroyed by repeated demolitions.

Families Affected

Approximately 500 families.

Stated Purpose of Eviction

The area has been cleared and fenced; local government officials said the area belonged to a private local entrepreneur; later they claimed it was reserved for industrial use.

Situation of Residents

Some families relocated to an area generally considered inappropriate (distance, lack of basic services); a group of evictees living on site in shacks built out of demolition debris, waiting for adequate negotiations with the government on compensation and relocation.

Name of Community

Wengi Maka.

Description

Very large and densely populated residential area, partially destroyed by demolitions.

Families Affected

Approximately 78 families.

Stated Purpose of Eviction

The land has been given in concession to the Catholic Church, allegedly for the construction of a worship site.

Situation of Residents

Many still living in their houses, but afraid of further demolitions.

Name of Community

Maria Eugenia Neto.

Description

Very large and densely populated residential area, partially destroyed by demolitions.

Families Affected

More than 800.

Stated Purpose of Eviction

Government officials never officially provided a reason for the evictions. Recently there were “rumors” that the government gave the area in concession to a private institute.

Situation of Residents

Most still living in their rebuilt houses, but afraid of further demolitions.

Name of Community

Soba Kopassa.

Description

Residential area partially destroyed by demolitions; residents are not certain of the final decision of the government concerning the area.

Families Affected

122 families. 

Stated Purpose of Eviction

A hospital and a morgue were built in one sixth of the area; further demolitions took place for the expansion of the hospital, but the construction has not been initiated.

Situation of Residents

Residents are rebuilding the houses that were destroyed.


Name of Community

Munlevos, Cacuaco, Bem-Vindo, and Mbondo Chape.

Description

Agricultural areas where several land plots were appropriated by the state.

Families Affected

Approximately 500 land plots already illegally appropriated or under threat of appropriation; approximately 500 families affected.

Stated Purpose of Eviction

Some areas given in concession to third parties allegedly for the development of commercial and industrial activities; some said to be reserved for non-specified public interest use. In Mbonde Chape several land plots have been cleared for the construction of a relocation site. One bare area with no infrastructure (known as Fubu) used to resettle evictees from other neighborhoods.

Situation of Residents

Small farmers seeking open and fair negotiations or compensation with the government or private concession holders. In Mbondo Chape some are still living in the area, some have moved to other neighborhoods.

Name of Community

Talatona.

Description

Residential area which had a few houses demolished and is under threat of further evictions.

Families Affected

14 houses demolished; 610 families under risk of eviction.

Stated Purpose of Eviction

The area is being requested by EDURB (public-private partnership that manages the development of large areas in the south of Luanda).

Situation of Residents

Residents are trying to negotiate staying in the area or getting suitable relocation.

Name of Community

Gaiolas.

Description

Residential area where residents have been threatened by police officers that they will be forced to leave their houses.

Families Affected

2000 families under risk of eviction.

Stated Purpose of Eviction

The area is being requested by EDURB (public-private partnership that manages the development of large areas in the south of Luanda).

Situation of Residents

Residents are trying to negotiate with representatives of EDURB staying in the area or getting suitable relocation.




230 There are no statistics or similarly precise and detailed information on the total numbers of people affected by forced evictions in Luanda so far. The estimates on this annex are based on information collected by SOS Habitat staff members that work directly with the affected communities, usually shortly after eviction operations, as well as Human Rights Watch interviews. SOS Habitat is the only organization in Luanda to have collected information on numbers of families involved in forced evictions directly from the communities.