CRS History in Angola

Angola is a predominantly Christian country in the southern region of Africa. Its vast natural resources of oil, diamonds, minerals, and fertile land have been more of a curse than a blessing since independence. More than 30 years of war have devastated the country's physical infrastructure of roads, schools, hospitals and homes, critically hampering the country's productivity and development potential.

The war has also given Angola the distinction of being home to the world's largest population of internally displaced people, totalling four million. The country also has one of the highest concentrations of landmines and landmine victims in the world. It is hoped that the current peace process will lead to a complete and enduring cessation of violence, which will finally allow the country to reconstruct and re-establish communities, homes and lives.

CRS started working in Angola in 1989 when it provided food assistance to war and drought affected communities. In the years since then, the agency has provided a mix of both emergency relief during times of war, and long-lasting development activities in times of peace. CRS currently has 160 staff members in Angola, spread throughout five offices: Lobito, Luanda, Cubal, Balombo and Ganda. with 160 staff.