|
|
 |
|
|
Angola gained independence from Portugal
in 1975. The 27-year by internal conflict forced nearly 450 thousand
refugees out of the country. After the 2002 ceasefire, these refugees began
returning to their country. AAR JAPAN conducted an assessment of the situation
surrounding these returnees and subsequently, in November 2003,
established the AAR JAPAN Angola office in Luanda, the capital of Angola.
After
four years of activities in Angola, we closed our office at the beginning
of October 2007. We have transferred our work to a local NGO
and continue to give support to local organizations. We are one of the
few Japanese NGOs giving assistance to Angola. We hope you will support our
activities there. |
|
|
| Mine Risk Education |
 It
is estimated that around 8 million mines remain buried in Angola. The existence
of these mines poses a serious threat to the lives of the Angolan people. Despite
being a rife with mines and unexploded ordnances, the province of Lunda
Sul on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo had hardly seen any
anti-landmine projects before AAR JAPAN commenced its activities.
AAR's operation in the region began in September 2004. Implementing
mine risk education has been an important part of our effort so that people
would
be
able to protect their own lives from landmines and unexploded ordnances.
In addition, we have contributed to the clearing of landmines and unexploded
ordnances by gathering information on mined areas from the locals and passing
them on to affiliated mine clearance organizations.
For three years, until
August 2007, we continued to provide this assistance, gradually expanding
the area in which we worked. In September 2007, we transferred these tasks
to CAPDC, a local partner organization that we had been working with. We
now support this local NGO so that the landmine action programs can be continued
in this region. |
 Mine
Risk Education featuring puppets. Attracted by the rhythm of drums. many
people gathered to see the puppet show. |
|
|
|
|
| Assistance for Returnees |
 The
Angolan refugees who had fled to neighboring countries during the civil war
started returning to their country after the 2002 ceasefire. Back in their
country many of the returnees now face social and financial difficulties including
language barrier and serious job shortages. In 2006, AAR JAPAN researched on
returnees' self-help groups in Luena, the capital of Moxico Province, where
many of the
returnees
live. Since May 2007, we have been assisting
the efforts of the Programme for Academic Education and Vocational Training
(PAEVT), a community based educational organization formed by repatriating
educationists. Currently, we are supporting 30 returnee women who are taking
a six-month sewing
skills course. |
| Women
intent on acquiring sewing skills. Acquiring skills is a way to gaining
economic independence. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Angola
