Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Luanda (Agenzia Fides)- Over a thousand former guerrillas belonging to the disbanded military wing of UNITA (National Union for Total Independence of Angola) are benefiting from an agricultural development programme run by Caritas Saurimo in the Lunda-Sul province of north east Angola. The programme in which the local agency for the rehabilitation of former combatants is involved, consists in the distribution of kits of farming, seeds and fertilisers so disbanded soldiers can earn money to support their families. It also includes the building in Itengo, 50 km from Saurimo, of a 10 classroom, traditional “Jango” community school where the ‘elders’ of the community instruct the younger ones in cultural, historical and ethical values
In this first stage the programme will involve mainly the towns of Saurimo and Cacolo. “We hope to help most of these former combatants to find their place in the local communities and become self-supporting ” says Bishop Eugenio Dal Corso of Saurimo, who explains that the re-integration programme will last 12 months. In fact most of the former members of UNITA troops came from rural farmer families and “we realise the importance of helping them to reintegrate into society” the Bishop of Saurimo said.
Civil war in Angola started in 1975 and ended after various vicissitudes in 2002 after the death of the UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi. The new leadership decided to disband the military wing and stand for elections as a political party. In its wake the conflict left, massive destruction, millions of displaced persons and thousands of combatants who must be reintegrated into society, as well as millions of mines and unexploded bombs all over the country. After five years of peace, the living conditions of most Angolans are still dramatic. Recently ‘Doctors without Frontiers’ MSF international organisation warned about a high rate of infant morality rate. The French NGO reported that according to a study made this year between January and April at Xa-Muteba, Luanda Norte province, the mortality rate of children under five is 2.8 of every 10,000. “This rate is three times the average fate recorded in developing countries”, said MSF in a statement. Half the deaths are caused by malaria.
However Angola is rich in natural resources: oil (second largest African producer after Nigeria) diamonds, iron, uranium, bauxite, agriculture (coffee, cotton, tobacco, palm oil, sugar came, sisal) and fishing. National wealth from which only a few instead of the majority of Angolans benefit. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 31/8/2006 righe 38 parole 469)
