USAID / Angola - Success Stories

By December 2001, the International Organization For Migration (IOM) had registered 1,089 ex-combatants for the "Community Assistance and Reintegration Program" in Huambo province, 377 of whom were "apresentados" (ex-UNITA troops), in three municipalities. The greatest number (565) had been demobilized under the Bicesse process (1991); 70 had been demobilized under the Lusaka process (1994); and 77 "others" were ex-FAA (GRA troops). Those demobilized under the Bicesse process were GRA troops, while those demobilized under the Lusaka process were primarily UNITA troops.

As a result of utilizing demobilized combatants and IDPs as a strong workforce element, a total of 107 latrines have been constructed; seven schools and two health posts have been rehabilitated; 21.5 kilometers of feeder roads have been reopened and rehabilitated; six water points have been installed and 107 small market places for selling agricultural commodities have been built.

On the agriculture side, 275 families received small parcels of land for gardening from the traditional leaders and 321 families received seeds and tools. A total of 380 families benefited from small animal breeding and husbandry assistance in the five villages.

IOM also engaged ex-combatants in the construction of houses, the rehabilitation and enlargement of schools and health posts and the installation of water points. By December 2001, 275 houses had been built, 149 for demobilized Angolan Army troops, 88 for ex-UNITA troops and 38 for IDPs. Program beneficiaries construct houses and latrines, and implement projects of more general community benefit such as through the rehabilitation of schools, health posts and feeder roads. Agricultural projects, as well as some vocational training and micro-business projects provide an additional base for income generation.

The "Community Assistance and Reintegration Program" is a USAID-funded activity housed under the Maternal and Child Health Program (SO 7) that focuses on community assistance and infrastructure development in existing communities. The project contributes to the maintenance of peace, stability and rehabilitation, as well as fostering economic recovery, reducing unemployment and generating income for the beneficiaries. This activity funds small projects that address the immediate and medium-term needs of the population, while strengthening human capacity through the reintegration of ex-combatants and IDPs into existing rural communities where land is available for cultivation, existing communities are willing to receive them and security conditions permit.

Projects are approved jointly by IRSEM (the Government's agency for the Socio-Professional Reintegration of Ex-combatants) and NGOs present in the field. IRSEM also identifies beneficiary groups and refers them to the project's reintegration and employment opportunities.

The Community Assistance and Reintegration Program began in November 2000 and is scheduled to end in March 31, 2002. This pilot project aims to improve both the reintegration of ex-combatants (including UNITA troops recently benefiting from the amnesty) and contribute to the development of rural communities where ex-combatants and IDPs either live or where they are resettling with IOM assistance.

USAID/ Angola - Success Stories