UPDATE - information as of 24 November

1.1 On 18 November, a commercial road convoy of 12 trucks contracted by WFP to transport 300 tons of commodities from Lobito to Huambo was ambushed on the road leading to Caala and Huambo. No casualties among drivers were reported and no food was looted. The convoy returned to Lobito. Security situation on roads on the Central Plateau does not allow yet for opening of road corridors. WFP is urging transporters to implement strict precautionary measures for road convoys in the Central and Malange corridors.

1.2 On 19 November, a mission composed of WFP, UCAH, UNICEF, MINARS and CARITAS went to Kaluquembe, province of Huila, to assess the relief needs of the population. According to the local authorities and CARITAS, the total number of IDPs in the municipality of Kaluquembe is now estimated at 35,000 persons from Huambo and Benguela. In view of the lack of access to food for newly arrived IDPs and vulnerable groups, WFP may resume food distribution to Kaluquembe.

1.3 Following monitoring activities of IDPs resettlement in alternative areas, a mission composed of WFP, MINARS, Humana People to People (ADPP), and Saved the Children Fund (SCF/US) visited the IDP camp of Njata (22 kilometres from Sumbe) where 1,451 IDPs have been resettled. WFP is assisting those IDPs with food aid and through food-for-work projects for the construction of schools, health centres, and houses.

1.4 Population movements due to fighting continue from Cangola to Negage, in the province of Uige, and its surroundings and it is estimated that they will continue as the population fears new attacks. Last week, 2,163 new IDPs coming from Cangola were assisted in Negage by the Danish Refugee Council. In Negage, an IDP camp is being rehabilitated by Jesuit Refugee Service, who will present its programme to WFP and request food-for-work for this purpose.