Angola — humanitarian situation

Angola faces overlapping humanitarian challenges driven by climate-induced flooding, food insecurity linked to erratic rainfall, and ongoing refugee hosting responsibilities amid regional Ebola preparedness concerns. Between February and May 2026, severe flooding affected multiple provinces following above-average and poorly distributed rainfall during the October-to-May rainy season. Initial flooding in Cunene Province in late February displaced 780 people and affected 1,428 individuals across 306 families, prompting emergency response activation (IFRC). By late February, impacts had expanded to Cubango Province, where 5,065 people were affected and 679 houses damaged, including 320 destroyed (IFRC). Flooding also occurred in Benguela and other central provinces during March and April (FEWS NET). The erratic rainy season has significant food security implications. Western and coastal Angola experienced rains starting over a month late, with below-average precipitation throughout most of the season and long dry spells interspersed with heavy rainfall periods (FEWS NET). While a below-average harvest began entering markets in May, contributing to seasonal food security improvements, the poor agricultural performance is expected to affect household food availability in coming months (FEWS NET). Angola continues hosting approximately 35,000 Congolese refugees who fled conflict and violence from the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2017, primarily residing in Lovua Refugee Settlement in Lunda Norte Province (UNHCR). These refugees have been granted asylum and receive assistance and protection services coordinated between UNHCR and the Government of Angola (UNHCR). Voluntary repatriation movements between Angola and DRC continue, though specific May 2026 figures were not detailed in available reports (UNHCR). Regional preparedness efforts have intensified following the Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak in DRC and Uganda, declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 17 May 2026 after confirmed cross-border transmission (IOM). Africa CDC and WHO launched a joint continental preparedness and response plan requiring $518 million to support African countries in rapid detection and response through November 2026 (WHO, Africa CDC).