Geography & people
Angola stretches almost 1,000 miles along the Atlantic coast of southern Africa, sharing its borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Namibia.
Along its coastal mountain areas, the country experiences a tropical climate, with milder temperatures in its inland plateaus. In the north, the hot and rainy seasons lasts from May to October while the cool and dry season runs from November to May.
Petroleum, diamonds, phosphates, iron ore, copper, gold and uranium are among Angola’s natural resources.
The official language of Angola is Portuguese, known by 80% of the population as the primary or secondary language. However there are over 40 local languages spoken in Angola; the six most widely spoken are Umbundu, Kimbundu, Kikongo, Chokwe, Kwanyama, and Ngangela
Fast facts
- 2012’s drought is still seriously affecting children’s health. In ten of the country’s provinces, estimates suggest that around 533,405 children under the age of five suffer from acute undernutrition.
- Drought conditions have also created food insecurity and inflation. Care for infants and children is poor. Young mothers are unsure how to best feed their children.
- Only around 51% of Angolans have access to safe water sources and adequate sanitation facilities.
- HIV/AIDS is a growing health concern in Angola: more then 250,000 Angolans are living with the virus.
Our focus in Angola
After decades of brutal civil war and devastated by droughts, Angola is, one of the world’s hardest places to live, especially if you are a child.
We started working here in 1989 when severe drought threatened the lives of thousands of children and their families. Since the 2012 drought, we are improving the nutrition of Angola’s children, with funding and support from UNICEF and ECHO (European Community Humanitarian Office).
Our work will bring hope to six of the worst affected provinces, helping to free children and their parents from the fear of hunger and ill health.
Highlights of our work will include:
- Improving the health of 270,000 children aged under five and their caregivers.
- Monthly screening of the under fives to check for malnutrition and providing food supplements as needed.
- Providing care and advice to pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- Educating mothers how to best feed their children.
Our achievements in Angola
We have also achieved the following, helping children and their families live free from the fear of hunger, illness and lack of opportunities.
Food security
- We have provided families with seeds, tools and training, helping them grow more and better food.
Livelihoods
- Families are offered agricultural improvement training to help boost their yields and earn an income.
- We have helped fish farmers increase their harvests by offering them training, establishing cooperatives and offering microfinance opportunities.
Water
- More children and their families can access clean safe water.
Health
- The health of children and mothers in hard to reach rural communities has improved through healthcare, nutrition education and HIV and AIDS awareness.