More than 7,000 refugees are being assisted by World Vision in Angola in partnership with the Angolan government and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), a statement from World Vision has said, ANGOP has learnt.

The main area of intervention is the region of Lóvua, north-eastern Lunda Norte Province, where actions of settlement coordination are carried out to guarantee the physical and social protection of the refugees, the statement said.

It adds that every month tons of food are distributed under World Food Programme (WFP) assistance for all refugees and hygiene kits for all women of childbearing age.

The statement adds that the organisation continues to support the construction of houses located in settled areas and intervenes in the rehabilitation of public infrastructure, such as schools, medical clinics, latrines, among others.

It is also raising awareness of nutrition and hygiene, promoting socio-cultural, sporting and recreational activities and carrying out actions to ensure good coexistence between the refugees and the Angolan community.

Child protection is one of the World Vision’s main responsibilities in Lóvua, in partnership with agents of the National Children’s Institute through UNHCR and WFP funding.

One of the points of attention, the statement says, is the situation of extreme vulnerability of unaccompanied minors, who arrived in Angola without adult supervision.

They require permanent assistance and special protection against trafficking and abuse, in addition to the general need for shelter, food, water, health and education.

The statement stresses that the Angolan government, via the local administration, has made efforts to make land plots available to refugees who want to practise agriculture

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)