Caritas Angola was established in 1970 during the country’s war of independence and was one of the only humanitarian relief operations that worked continuously though the ensuing civil war.

Four million people were forced from their homes during 27 years of civil war and some 70 percent of people now live below the official poverty line, with over 13 percent in extreme poverty.

Paid staff	500
Beneficiaries	1 million

Caritas focuses on food security, education, health and rural development to help break the chain linking high unemployment and limited health services with poverty.

The agency works in areas including:

• Training in work and life skills, capacity building and local empowerment 
• Providing food, clothing, seeds and work equipment
• Raising local knowledge and carrying out research
• Providing grants and loans.

Caritas Angola is also adapting to the changing social and political landscape following the conflict.

There is a growing emphasis on development over emergency relief, through helping rebuild infrastructure and services, and aiding the rehabilitation of displaced people returning to their homes.

The stress is on rebuilding communities that are more sustainable, so they can ultimately respond to their own development needs.