JOHANNESBURG – On Thursday, Human Rights Watch called on Angolan authorities to launch an independent investigation into the collapse of the Cavaco River dike and to provide immediate, transparent assistance to the thousands displaced by the floods that devastated Benguela province in April. Heavy rainfall on April 12, 2026, caused the dike protecting the Cavaco River to fail, unleashing floodwaters that inundated several urban and semi-urban neighborhoods in the province. Official reports indicate at least 19 fatalities, 31 individuals missing, and over 8,000 families affected. Rescue teams managed to save 3,624 people; however, the disaster resulted in the destruction of 1,540 homes, damage to 3,871 others, and 2,586 homes remaining submerged in the weeks that followed.
Sheila Nhancale, an Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch, expressed serious concerns regarding the authorities’ ability to prevent and respond to foreseeable risks. She stated, “The scale of destruction raises serious concerns about the authorities’ ability to prevent and respond to foreseeable risks,” emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian aid and answers regarding the dike’s collapse. In May 2026, Human Rights Watch gathered testimonies from eight residents, a journalist, two lawyers, a volunteer, and a local activist, while also examining government statements, media reports, and satellite imagery of the aftermath. Residents reported long-standing structural vulnerabilities in areas such as Calomanga, Massangarala, Seta Antiga, Santa Teresa, Cotel, Calomburaco, and Tchipiandalo, as well as parts of Lobito and Catumbela municipalities. Many indicated that the dike had been deteriorating for years and had not received maintenance since 2002, a neglect that likely contributed to its failure.
One resident from Calomanga recounted the harrowing experience of April 12, describing how water surged into the neighborhood without warning, resulting in numerous deaths. He reported seeing 13 bodies and assisted in retrieving eight. “More than 300 people are still sleeping in the open, with only occasional distributions of mattresses,” he told Human Rights Watch on May 3. “The displacement centers are overcrowded, lacking sanitation, food, and privacy.” The provincial government claimed that temporary accommodations had been established in old and new Campismo, the Ombaka National Stadium, and various public and religious facilities. However, volunteers described the conditions as “inhumane.” Maria do Carmo, who assists victims at the old Campismo site, stated, “Bathrooms have no privacy or cleanliness, putting people’s health at risk, especially women. We ran out of charcoal for cooking on May 1, and food supplies were insufficient.”
Lawyer Estrela Francisco warned that the camps are unsuitable for extended stays and that aid distribution lacks transparency. Activist Tiago Ngana noted
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