The ICRC has ended its distributions of food and garden-vegetable seed to some 70,000families (almost 300,000individuals), the residents of 120villages around Huambo, as well as to displaced people living in camps in the area.

Fierce fighting on the Planalto between government troops and UNITA forces in late 1998 caused a food shortage affecting civilians living in the Huambo area, and over 30% of the population eventually suffered from severe malnutrition. To meet the resulting needs, the ICRC urgently began large-scale food distributions. A considerable logistical effort made it possible to bring into the area and distribute over 37,200tonnes of food in all.

In addition, an agricultural rehabilitation programme was launched involving regular distribution of seed and implements, production of natural fertilizer, diversification of local seed varieties, clearing of irrigation canals, etc. Some 3,200tonnes of seed (maize, sorghum and bean) were distributed to farmers.

The situation today is quite different. Improved security conditions in the region mean that people can once again work the fields and grow the crops they need to live. An ICRC food survey carried out in March in the villages around Huambo and Caala showed that the severe malnutrition rate among the population had dropped to 2.2%. These remaining cases are due more to endemic illnesses in the region such as malaria, parasitic diseases and diarrhoea than to lack of food.

As a result, only displaced people with no access to arable land will continue receiving food aid. The ICRC hopes that the relevant government authorities will make additional efforts to find land for the displaced and thus enable them to resume some semblance of normal life, though they are far from home. Permanent village residents around Huambo will continue benefiting from ICRC agricultural assistance. The next seed distribution is scheduled for the end of the year.