This article is based on field visits to Kuito between August and March and from field reports. There is also a contribution from Jeremy Shoham based on a recent review of pellagra in emergencies carried out on behalf of WHO. Angola has been at war for more than 20 years. A second peace process, initiated at the end of lasted until when conflict resumed.
Since late 98, more than one hundred thousand people living in Bie province in the central high plateau of Angola have fled conflict and sought asylum around Kuito town the provincial capital of Bie. The population of Kuito town and surrounding area has been estimated at ,, with about , Internally displaced people IDPs currently sheltered in various sites around the town.
Kuito is effectively now an enclave due to the high level of military activity in the area and is known to be one of the heaviest mined cities in the world. With little potential for food production by the local population and the numerous displaced people living in Kuito, most of this population are completely dependent on WFP World Food Programme rations.
Small agricultural fields and seeds have been allocated to the displaced population but harvests are generally poor and insufficient.
The purchasing power of the resident population has rapidly decreased due to inflation and the activities of most traders had been reduced due to the war. MSF Belgium has been present in Bie province since the end of MSF's work has included operating feeding centres and supporting Kuito general hospital.
