Angola has been devastated by near constant civil war since independence from Portugal in 1975.  A 1994 peace accord between the ruling Popular Movement for Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the rebel group UNITA led to the installation of a national unity government in April of 1997.  However, the peace did not last and serious fighting resumed in late 1998. The death of the veteran rebel leader of UNITA, Jonas Savimbi led to a formal ceasefire in Luanda in April 2002 which is still in place.

 
The security situation in the country has greatly improved since hostilities ceased in April 2002.  However, huge humanitarian challenges remain.  During 2003, more than 3.8 million war-affected persons resettled or returned to their areas of origin.  Hundreds of thousands of persons remain temporarily resettled and an estimated 350,000 refugees are still in neighbouring countries.  Angola is rich in natural resources such as oil and diamonds and has a relatively high GDP of US$2,040 per capita (2001); almost equal to Vietnam.  However, the vast majority of the population continue to live in dire poverty.  Angola ranks 164 (out of 175) in the 2003 UN Human Development Index and life expectancy (39 years for men and 41 years for women) is among the lowest in the world.


Adequate funding of humanitarian operations, recovery and long-term development activities is now vital to ensure consolidation of the peace agreement and the resettlement of IDPs and affected populations.  With international support and the commitment of the Angolan government to focus the country’s resources on poverty reduction, Angola has the potential to enter a new phase of hope, prosperity and recovery.


Irish Aid Assistance to Angola:

Angola is a focus for Irish Government humanitarian assistance as a country experiencing a “forgotten emergency”.  As the cease-fire has taken hold, security and accessibility for humanitarian agencies has improved greatly throughout the country and Irish Aid funding has increased accordingly.  In 2003, Irish Aid provided over €5 million to Angola.  €1 million of this funding was allocated to UNHCR to assist with the repatriation of Angolan refugees; one of the UN’s biggest global repatriation programmes ever undertaken.  Funding was also provided to Irish NGOs under the Multi Annual Programme Scheme (MAPS). MAPS provides funding over a three year period to support long-term development programmes prioritised by partner NGOs.


Angola is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world with estimates of landmine numbers varying from 3-5 million.  Mine-clearance operations have been a particular focus for Irish Aid.  In 2003, block funding of €1 million was allocated to the Halo Trust for de-mining activities in Angola, Afghanistan, Eritrea and Somalia.  In 2004, this grant was increased to €1.5 million.

Last updated: 26 April 2004