MAG has been working in the 4 de Fevereiro area since May, clearing 177,691 square metres of land so far (as of December 2008).
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Alfredo working in the “lavra”. |
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MAG staff interviewing Alfredo in 4 de Fevereiro. [Photos: MAG Angola] |
Clearance of the 390,000 square-metred area will help the local population to safely access land for agriculture and housing.
Situated on the outskirts of Luena in the east of the country, 4 de Fevereiro was a constant target of UNITA attacks during the civil war, and was mined by the Angolan armed forces.
Although knowing of the presence of landmines, Alfredo Ramos Chimigi decided to take the risk and entered the area in February 1997 to collect firewood and burn charcoal – the only sources of income for his family.
He lost his right leg in a mine accident.
About a year later, at a very difficult time for the majority of people in Luena due to the conflict, Alfredo’s wife and 15-year-old son were also out collecting firewood in 4 de Fevereiro when they too were wounded by a landmine.
Now 66, Alfredo owns a “lavra” (small farm) close to the area MAG is currently clearing, where, though only with one leg and walking with help of crutches, he works to help to provide for himself and his family, who survive with whatever income they get from this small farm and charcoal production.
“My family and I receive no support from the authorities so we have to work to survive,” he says.
The population has been rising in this area since the end of the conflict, with many former refugees and internally displaced people settling in the neighbourhood due to its proximity to Luena.
Alfredo believes that the work that MAG is doing in clearing land in 4 de Fevereiro will prevent other persons from being injured and kill by landmines and will allow people to have more land to cultivate their farms.
23 December 08
MAG's work in Angola is currently funded by: Adopt-a-Minefield; DFID (UK Department for International Development); Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission; Luanda International School; Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, US Department of State; Royal Netherlands Government.
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