Oxfam GB :: Where we work

What we do: Campaign for change; Emergency response; Development work; Why we do it

Issues we work on: Climate change; Conflict and natural disasters; Health; Education; Debt and aid; Gender equality; The right to be heard; Global Food Crisis; Trade; Private sector

Where we work: Countries we work in

The impact of our work: In words and pictures; On video

Special features: History of Oxfam; Oxfam myths exposed; Take the Oxfam Quiz; Reshaping our world

Angola

Children learning about heath and hygiene. Photo: Crispin Hughes

In Angola, Oxfam's focus is on livelihoods, HIV and AIDS and public health. We also provide clean water supplies.

The prospect of peace

Despite great oil wealth, 27 years of war have devastated Angola and impoverished most of its people.

Two-thirds of Angolans live in poverty
Average life expectancy in Angola is just 38

But there is hope for Angola. The peace accord signed in 2002 has opened real prospects for peace and national reconciliation. Oxfam has long provided emergency support in Angola. Now the fighting has ended, we are helping Angola's poorest people begin to rebuild their shattered lives.

How Oxfam is helping

We work with local groups to help people rebuild their livelihoods. Our work also focuses on providing clean water, good sanitation, health and hygiene training and awareness of the risks of HIV.

Testing the water in an Oxfam well. Photo: Crispin Hughes

Oxfam is working with rural communities to build traditional wells, which don't need spare parts, and are therefore easily maintained by the villagers.

Learn more

Read more examples of our work in Angola:

Development

Curbing the spread of HIV

Limited population mobility during Angola's civil war saw the country protected from the rapid rises in levels of HIV experienced by its Southern African neighbours.

But now that war is over, peace is causing its own dangers. Newly opened transport routes are encouraging people to move, and consequently increasing and spreading the transmission of HIV to rural areas.

How Oxfam is helping

We seek to minimise the transmission of HIV and promote access to care, support, and treatment services in rural areas, as well as increasing awareness about the pandemic. One of our projects involves training key members of the community to become peer-educators who can then share their knowledge with others.

Laurindo Lindonges with his son. Photo: Andy Hall

Spreading the word prevents spreading the disease. This method works. I can tell my friend and he will tell his friend and the message is passed on and on and on.