ANGOLA: KUITO CIVILIANS FACING STARVATION

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• published: 21 Jul 2015
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Portuguese/Nat People living in Angola's second biggest city, Kuito, are facing starvation, following a recent bombardment by UNITA rebels. Many of the tens of thousands of displaced people who sought shelter there have returned to the countryside in search of food, despite the risk of being blown up by mines. Kuito Hospital, partially wrecked by artillery fire, is crowded with malnourished patients. But there is no help in sight - humanitarian aid agencies are afraid to airlift much needed supplies for fear of being shot down. When Angola's civil war resumed on December 4th, the rebels targeted Kuito because it lies on a strategic road and rail line. The city also has a strong psychological significance for UNITA rebels and the government. They fought a nine-month street battle here between 1993 and 1994, which the government won, forcing UNITA rebels to sign a U-N brokered peace accord in 1994. The exchanges left the city in tatters. It was never rebuilt, leaving ordinary civilians extremely vulnerable to this new onslaught. Rebel artillery pounded the government-held city for seven days in December. The army drove them back out of range two weeks ago in one of the most decisive early military engagements of Angola's renewed civil war. But the city - already devastated by earlier fighting - was virtually reduced to rubble. Many ordinary people, like Maindo Catiavale, were left without a roof over their heads, their furniture and possessions blown to pieces. SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) "The fourth and fifth bombs hit the top section of my house and at that time I was in the bunkers with my family and we were safe. But I've lost everything." SUPER CAPTION: Maindo Catiavale, resident The death toll is unknown, but there are dozens of injured people desperately in need of hospital care. Although Kuito is quiet now, there is a serious shortage of food and medical supplies. Kuito Provisional Hospital, where Doctor Salbino Salongue works, has been particularly hard hit. SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) "The primary problem here is a shortage of food that we have to feed the patients, and during the attack a lot of hospital material was looted. Including surgical equipment and then mattresses and blankets." SUPER CAPTION: Doctor Salbino Salongue, Kuito Provisional Hospital The World Food Programme has resumed aid flights to some areas of the southwest African country - but it won't come to Kuito because of security fears. The rebels have shot down six planes in the area in the past four weeks. There are fears that the people of Kuito could starve to death or die from untreated injuries if help doesn't arrive soon. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/59047eaef5cd59bfb3f35271bb576ce7 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork