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Following the 1975-2002 civil war, Angola is one of the most contaminated countries in the world, generally considered to have approximately two landmines for every single person.
Moxico, where MAG's Angola programme first began in 1994. is the most heavily contaminated province in the country. Over 170,000 individuals are threatened on a daily basis by landmines and there remains a significant lack of access to, for example, education and health centres as a direct consequence of landmines.
Thirty-six-year-old Moxico-born Marcelo Cambembe is manager of MAG Angola's base in the town of Luena, Moxico's capital.
You’re one of the longest-serving staff members at MAG Angola….
I remember my first day – June 1st, 1996. I’d been a teacher previously and that’s how I came to work to work for MAG. A member of MAG’s Community Liaison (CL) staff came to visit the school to give Mine Risk Education and it interested me so much that I applied for a job, passed the interview and became a CL Officer myself!
After 12 years you must know the MAG Angola programme well!
Yes! After six months I became a CL Team Leader. Later, I trained as a deminer and then became Field Operations Manager, and finally Base Manager. So I’ve got experience of all areas of MAG’s work here.
Explain your current role…
I arrive at the base at 7am and make sure that the electricity generator is functioning correctly and that the computers and internet are working. I check with the radio operator that communications with teams deployed in the field are in order, then deal with issues concerning logistics, transport etc. I have a lot of contact with our administrative office in Luanda.
MAG had to temporarily suspend operations in 1998 due to the conflict – what did you do then?
Though the programme was suspended, all the vehicles and equipment remained at the base. I was responsible for ensuring the safety of these, administering the guards, and liaising with the police and government to ensure the safety of the materials.
Why do you work for MAG?
I think working for MAG is special for me for two reasons: because delivering Mine Risk Education to the community helps them to survive, to live even in an environment which is mined; and then there’s the demining, without which Moxico province would not develop.
What are your hopes on a personal level?
My personal challenge for the future is to have an opportunity to work outside Angola within MAG. Maybe I can share my experience with another country in Africa, or even in another part of the world.
Links:
» Why does MAG work in Angola?
» More on MAG's work in Angola
» City of Luena benefiting from water plant clearance
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, Angola; Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, US Department of State; Royal Netherlands Government.
11 June 08
