Little Eugénio, one year old, arrived at the Inpatient Nutrition Center (UEN) at Humpata Municipal Hospital, Huíla Province, with the typical symptoms of severe malnutrition: low weight, lack of appetite, sluggishness in movement and swelling in the upper and lower limbs (called oedema). Dina, a 23-year-old young mother, feared for the life of her only son, who also had diarrhoea and had been complaining of stomach pain for a few days.
Angola has grappled with severe drought in the last five years. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this food insecurity, which saw entire families abandon their homes and livelihood in search of food and water as livestock and crops died off.
For years, nature has shown its wear and tear due to global warming, and as a result of that, disasters have become more and more frequent.
The south of Angola is one of the areas where traces of drought are desolating, as the country faces its worst drought in 40 years. Here, access to potable water would be a luxury for many, whose only option was to wait for rain in order to be able to reserve water for their own consumption and that of their animals.
World Vision International (WVI) in Angola is partnering with the Government of Angola to implement the PFSS (Programa de Fortalecimento do Sector Saúde). Working alongside the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Directorates of Health, Agriculture, Social Affairs, Women and Family; Culture, and Water, WVI Angola is implementing a multi-sectoral response to drought in Huila Namibe Cunene and Cuando Cubango Provinces
When the paediatric unit of the biggest hospital in Benguela was taken over by an avalanche of malnutrition cases needing immediate hospitalisation, World Vision set out to provide support to the most vulnerable children. Our assessment revealed that four out of every 10 children screened for malnutrition among more than 1,300 children aged between six and 59 months in the municipalities of Benguela, Caimbambo, Catumbela, and Ganda, were malnourished.
Although Angola is the second largest oil-producing country in Africa, many children continue to suffer.
As a child-focused organization dedicated to improving the well-being of vulnerable children, we have been working in Angola since 1989. Our teams of development professions are working to:
Our programmes benefit approximately 1 million people each year.
We serve all people, regardless of creed, ethnicity, gender, race, religion and are committed to using sustainable solutions.
The effects of drought are still visible
Angola faced a severe drought that significantly impacted the lives of thousands of people. Large parts of Southern Angola have observed abnormal dryness as it has hardly rained during the last four years. Last year an estimated 1.4 million people were affected by the drought.
For broader impact, we partner with the local authorities, Institutions, donors and corporate partners.
Children from Huila Province, Matala municipality, enjoying themselves during the nutritional screening © World Vision 2017.
Children from Huambo Province, Municipality of Ekunha, at the school break, enjoying taking a group photo © World Vision 2017.
Children with special needs from the inclusive school Pamosi after a school day with WV Angola country Director © World Vision 2017.
It Takes a World
We are focusing on improving the lives of children by addressing parental neglect and discrimination against children living with disabilities.
