Updated: March 2009
Angola
Overview | World Vision's history in Angola | World Vision in Angola today
OverviewLocated along 1,000 miles of the South Atlantic coast of West Africa, the Republic of Angola is bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo to the north, Zambia to the east, and Namibia to the south. Oil-rich Cabinda, an exclave and province of Angola, is situated 30 miles north of the country along the Atlantic and borders the Republic of Congo. The climate in Angola is tropical, with hot and rainy coastal regions and milder inland areas. A series of mountain ranges parallels the coast in the western half of the country, while a high plateau dominates the east. Natural resources include petroleum, diamonds, phosphates, iron ore, copper, gold, and uranium.Large numbers of Bantu speakers migrated to the Angola region in the 10th century. Ngola, the Bantu word for “king,” eventually became the name of the area. The three largest ethnic groups in Angola—the Ovimbundu, Kimbundu, and Bakango—make up 75 percent of the population. Other groups include the Chokwe, Ganguela, Herero, and Xindunga. Ethnic Portuguese and other Europeans, as well as mesticos (those of mixed European and native African heritage), comprise roughly 3 percent of Angolan residents. Portuguese is both the official and most predominant language, though the Bantu dialects Kongo, Chokwe, and Mbundu are also spoken. In the 16th century, Portugal gradually took control of Africa’s southwestern coastal region. Portuguese forces established the city of Luanda in 1575 and began using it as a departure point to ship slaves to Brazil. By 1850, Angola was the largest source of slaves for the Americas. Though the slavery system ceased in the late 1800s, it wasn’t officially outlawed in Angola until 1961. A coup d’etat in Portugal in 1974 established a military government that handed over power to a union of three freedom movements in Angola. A year later, Portuguese forces abandoned the region and independence was declared. |  |
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| Ideological differences between the three factions quickly led to armed conflict. A multiparty democracy was attempted, and in 1997 a coalition government, led by Jonas Savimbi, was established. Savimbi repeatedly violated the coalition’s accord, causing it to be suspended in September 1998. Savimbi was assassinated in February 2002. Rebel leaders signed a cease-fire agreement two months later, signaling an end to 27 years of civil war. Post-war Angola’s annual economic growth has averaged more than 10 percent since 2003. Crude oil production—Angola is the second largest producer in Africa—accounts for 80 percent of government revenue and 95 percent of exports. Despite the abundant natural resources and rising gross domestic product, Angola ranks 162 out of 177 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index. Inflation is 12.2 percent—the fifth worst rate in Africa. Unemployment affects more than half the population. Nearly 70 percent of people live below the poverty line, and 26 percent live in extreme poverty. More than 80 percent of Angolans have limited (and sometimes nonexistent) access to basic health-care services. Three-quarters of people do not have adequate sanitation facilities, and 47 percent do not have access to clean water. Due to a lack of these services, 26 percent of children do not live to see their fifth birthday: a rate that is the second worst in the world. Also straining the health-care system is the growing epidemic of HIV and AIDS. There are 320,000 people living with HIV and AIDS; 35,000 of these are children. More than 160,000 children have lost one or both of their parents to the disease. After nearly 30 years of civil war, Angola is the most heavily landmined country in sub-Saharan Africa. As a result, agricultural production has come to a near standstill, with millions of acres of cropland filled with landmines. Half the country’s food is now imported, but it isn’t enough to feed the more than half-million people who depend on food aid for survival. Malnutrition is widespread, especially in rural areas. Forty-five percent of children have experienced stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition. Back to top World Vision's history in AngolaWorld Vision began its work in Angola in 1989 when a severe drought threatened the lives of thousands of children and families. Three years later, program operations were temporarily suspended due to an upswing in civil war violence. By 1993, relief efforts resumed and included programs in food distribution, agriculture, health, water, and landmine awareness education.Throughout the 1990s, World Vision ministered to the food security needs of Angolans. Nearly 55,000 tons of food were distributed during a three-year period, and families with available land received seeds, tool packs, technical assistance, and training. People unable to farm received continuous food rations. As immediate need for sustenance lessened, World Vision’s promotion of food security shifted from direct assistance to initiatives focused on improved agricultural productivity, community health, rehabilitation of water supplies, and improved household nutrition. Therapeutic feeding, curative care, vaccination programs, health education, and the construction of wells increased the overall health and wellbeing of thousands of families. By the end of the 1990s, more than 650,000 Angolans were benefiting from World Vision programs. The Angola Relief and Rehabilitation Project provided preschool and primary education to hundreds of children, training in income-generating activities for parents, and dairy cows and fruit trees to needy families. The Seed Recovery Project increased agricultural production and productivity for 10,000 vulnerable families affected by the war in the Malanje and Kwanza Norte provinces. This project established a sustainable seed supply of crops rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. World Vision also has helped prevent the transmission of HIV in Angola. A study was conducted to determine the magnitude of the epidemic within the country. World Vision promoted responsible behavior among those with HIV and AIDS, improved access to retroviral drugs, and provided effective counseling and sustainable community-based programs. Currently, World Vision is working with communities through sector-focused work centered on agriculture improvement, economic development, food-for-work, rehabilitation of infrastructure, health and nutrition issues, HIV and AIDS awareness, and community organization. There is also a project planned to assist small farming landowners in the Angolan central highlands by improving their capacity to produce high-value crops and effectively compete with imported produce. Back to top World Vision in Angola todayWorld Vision is committed to partnering with the people of Angola to enhance their lives today and to help enact sustainable solutions for the future of their communities, families, and children. Currently, World Vision does not operate a sponsorship program in Angola, but there are a few active projects in the country. The following is a significant highlight of these efforts:
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