Although the government has increased the secure area around the city, there is still not enough safe land available, with the planting season already underway. Humanitarian assistance will continue to be vital for many more months. A further problem facing peasants is that they face the threat of being killed by landmines as they return to their land. On 6 October another 13 citizens were killed in similar circumstances. However, this analysis is not shared by the World Food Programme, which has been stepping up its food aid distribution.
Mines continue to pose a threat to the population.
On 13 October a lorry operated by the ICRC detonated an anti-tank mine near the city. Reports suggest that the mine had been displaced due to heavy rain. On 15 October the highway linking the city with the port of Benguela, which had been closed since July, was reopened. Up to 100 lorries, which had been stuck in the city, left under military escort. WFP has responded by increasing their supplies to the city, despite the airport being closed from 27 September to 1 October for repairs.