Conflict 2003
Soon after gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, Angola was forced to endure what would become a 27-year war, the consequence of power struggles between Angolan-liberation movements. The communist People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the anti-communist National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), were of different ethnicities and had drafted incompatible ruling strategies, despite both calling for the end of colonialism.
The resulting devastation was that approximately 4.28 million people were displaced, with 100 000 children being separated from their families. Lack of food and adequate healthcare resulted in the deterioration of the nations’ life expectancy rate. The abuse extended to children who were forced into militant activity, and young girls who became victims of forced marriages and sexual assault. This turbulence came to an end in 2002 after MPLA had declared victory. Active land mines can still be found in these war territories to this day.
Gift of the Givers Response:
The 2003 post-conflict humanitarian disaster in Angola, which left millions displaced, jobless and maimed, due to widespread and deadly land-mines, resulted in an appeal to South Africans to assist. We provided 60 tons of relief aid, comprising a wide variety of foodstuffs, which was delivered in association with both the South African and Angolan Governments.
SA government-provided transport by sea for 60 tons of aid. Gift of the Givers provided of food aid delivered in association with the SA and Angolan government