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PrintFlooding in Angola
People who have been displaced from their homes due to severe flooding are living in makeshift tents. Photo: OxfamGB
Flooding in Angola's Cunene province has been unusually severe this year, with the heaviest rains recorded in the area since 1956. According to figures from National Cholera Taskforce, there have been more than 1,000 cholera cases and 75 deaths in the province and Angolan government authorities believe at least 12,000 people have been displaced by the floods.
What Oxfam is doing
Oxfam is working with the Angolan Red Cross, Unicef and government stakeholders to ensure people have access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene items such as soap and buckets. We are also coordinating training in cholera prevention.
While floodwaters are expected to recede by May, health risks are expected to escalate. Stagnant ponds create breeding sites for malaria-carrying mosquitoes and wells and latrines have been contaminated by floodwaters, exposing people to serious risk of death and disease. In response we are preparing to provide clean water and sanitation facilities to 3,000 affected families.
When the floods finally recede, we will help local authorities to fix wells and boreholes, construct new water points, and plan for future emergencies.
How you can help
By making a donation to our International Crisis Fund you can help with the rapid rollout of resources needed when an emergency situation such as a natural disaster or conflict strikes.