Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 4th June. UN refugee agency and the World Food Programme on Monday has initiated a project in the Angola’s northeastern Lunda Norte province is not only about cultivating rice, maize, and vegetables -but also nurturing self-reliance and dignity among refugee communities.
The agencies noted that over 160 refugees actively working the fields through the initiative, and another 110 expected to join soon, the impact resonates far beyond just sustenance for them and their families. It also benefits other refugees and host communities to whom they sell some of the produce.
Maman Antho, a former government worker in the Democratic Republic of the Congo turned beacon of female empowerment, the project symbolizes a shift from reliance on international aid towards autonomy.
She became a agricultural self-reliance embodies the essence of refugee empowerment, delivering a powerful message about gender equality and the crucial role women can play in their communities.
Maman Antho said that “We have a duty to cultivate the land. So, our kids can see their parents work to live. We like taking kids here to show that our staple food comes from our work.”
“We do not want to depend on humanitarian aid because we know one day it can stop. The times of emergency are over – now it is time for development.”
UNHCR Representative in Angola Emmanuelle Mitte said that Maman Antho is “an example of how, with solidarity, the refugee community can bring dignity and autonomy to their families while supporting the country. Angola is a compassionate nation, and UNHCR works alongside the Government and people of Angola to protect people fleeing war and violence.”
The resilience of refugees will be celebrated on World Refugee Day on 20 June, highlighted the importance of unity and developing solutions for the integration of forcibly displaced individuals in Angola.
The agencies stressed that beyond the harvest, this endeavour feeds not only mouths but also the human spirit, instilling resilience and autonomy in a community striving for a life of dignity and fulfilment, ensuring a legacy of hope and determination to thrive for generations to come.
The projects to integrate refugees into food production in the Lunda Norte province began in 2019 with UNHCR.
The initial production focused solely on vegetable cultivation, took a leap in 2023 when a partnership with WFP allowed rice and maize production to feed the refugee and host communities, encouraged commercial agriculture, and promoted social cohesion.
José Ferrão, WFP Representative in Angola said “Maman Antho and Jean Bafolo’s stories offer a beacon of hope to many other refugees and stand as a testament to their resilience, ambition, and positive contribution to their host communities.”
“WFP is committed to collaborate with the Government of Angola and its partners to build a brighter future for refugee and host communities and ensure future generations can flourish and thrive.:
Angola is home to 55,000 people in need of international protection. In Lunda Norte, the Lóvua settlement hosts around 6,200 refugees, including the families of Maman Antho and Mr. Bafolo.
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