Latest news with #LundaNorte
Zawya
3 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
Vaccination against cholera brings hope to more than 2 million Angolans
A new round of the oral vaccination campaign against cholera was officially launched this Saturday in the municipality of Cafunfo, Lunda Norte province, an initiative of the Angolan government, through the Ministry of Health, with the support of GAVI - Global Alliance for Vaccines, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the European Union and other partners in the health sector. The campaign plans to vaccinate more than 2 million people in the most affected municipalities in the provinces of Cabinda, Kwanza Sul, Huíla, Lunda Norte, Namibe and Zaire - regions where there is currently active transmission of the disease. The campaign started simultaneously in all the provinces covered, with teams on the ground starting vaccination activities at fixed posts and through door-to-door visits. At the launch, the Minister of Health, Dr. Sílvia Lutucuta, called on everyone to get involved: 'Everyone has to take part in this war against cholera, we're almost there, there's just a little bit left and if we all work together we'll be able to get rid of cholera in Angola.' The minister also highlighted the strengthening of the response capacity thanks to the support of partners: "Through our partners, we managed to get around 1 million vaccines in the first and second rounds. Now we've got 2 million vaccines that will allow us to increase coverage and protect even more people." The vaccine used in this round is Euvichol-S, an oral, single-dose vaccine donated by Gavi and distributed via the international mechanism coordinated by the International Coordination Group (ICG). The campaign involves 942 vaccination teams, made up of vaccinators, mobilizers and supervisors, who will work at fixed posts and also through door-to-door visits. All people aged one year and over will be vaccinated, as part of an integrated response that includes epidemiological surveillance, access to drinking water, sanitation, risk communication and case management. During the ceremony, the WHO Representative in Angola, Dr. Indrajit Hazarika, highlighted the role of the vaccine in protecting communities, but recalled that it must be complemented by other structural measures: "The oral vaccine is a strong tool in our hands, in each campaign we stop the transmission of cholera by reinforcing the vital shield of protection for communities. But the vaccine alone is not enough, we must remain vigilant. The fight against cholera is also about sustainable investment in water, sanitation and hygiene. Only in this way will we cut cholera in the long term." In the beneficiary neighborhoods, the mood is hopeful. After months of fear and uncertainty, the arrival of the vaccine represents a concrete response and essential protection, especially for the most vulnerable families. Verónica Domingos Ferreira, who lives in the municipality of Kikombo, Kwanza Sul, was one of the people vaccinated. After seeing her neighbors fall ill months ago, she decided to seek information and protect her family. Today, she is relieved: "I'm very grateful. Today I got vaccinated and I vaccinated my children. This vaccine is a blessing. Now I feel that my family is better protected." With actions like this, Angola is strengthening its capacity to respond to outbreaks and reaffirming its commitment to the health and dignity of its communities. The campaign will continue in the coming days, with calls for the active participation of the entire population. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Angola.
New York Times
15-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
The Mennonite Colony That Made a Deal With a Diamond Company
Not long ago, the field where Charlotte Itala picks corn with her friends was a hunting ground where people in her small African village caught antelope, boar and forest buffalo. Now that land has been plowed over by her new employers, a group of Old Colony Mennonites. The Mennonites, adherents of a Christian sect founded in the 16th century, number nearly 60 people in all, most of whom set out from Mexico almost a year ago to establish a settlement in northeastern Angola. As part of an agreement with a diamond mining company, they have cleared and cultivated nearly 2,000 acres, hoping to build a community that other Mennonites from the Americas can join. DEMOCRATIC REP. OF CONGO Cambanze Luanda Lunda Norte Angola Zambia namibia 200 miles By The New York Times The new families, who use shipping containers as makeshift homes, have impressed some Angolans but raised fears among others. In Ms. Itala's village, Cambanze, some worry that the Mennonites may be just the latest outsiders to move in with little regard for the people who live there. 'If they take our land, we won't be able to grow our cassava — and then what are we going to eat?' said Ms. Itala, who makes $2.50 for seven hours of work in the Mennonites' field. The money does not make up for the loss of her village's hunting ground, she said. 'We are worried for our future.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Zawya
10-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
The World Health Organization (WHO) Donates Mobile Water Testing Kits to Boost Angola's Water Safety Monitoring
The World Health Organization (WHO) today donated three mobile water quality testing kits to the Ministry of Health, through the Instituto Nacional de Investigação em Saúde (INIS), to strengthen Angola's capacity to monitor and respond to waterborne disease risks—especially during health emergencies such as the ongoing cholera outbreak. These mobile kits allow for on-the-spot analysis of water sources, enabling health teams to detect issues such as pH levels, chlorine concentration, turbidity, and other key indicators of water safety—without the delays caused by transporting samples to laboratories. 'In provinces like Lunda Norte, we've faced serious challenges collecting and transporting water samples from remote communities,' said Alex Freeman, a WASH and Health logistics specialist deployed to Angola with the support of the WHO Nairobi AFRO Emergency Hub 'Now, with these mobile kits, we can conduct accurate tests immediately at the point of collection, enabling faster decision-making and a more agile public health response.' As part of the rollout, nine INIS staff members were trained on the use of the mobile kits, with additional training planned for personnel from other sectors in the coming weeks. The testing kits are also a practical tool for routine monitoring in hospital settings, helping ensure safe water for patients and health workers. As part of WHO's mandate to support water quality surveillance, the kits represent an important operational boost for both preventive health efforts and outbreak response. 'This is a great example of collaboration and targeted support,' said Simão Nhassengo, a WASH specialist deployed to Angola with the support of the government of the Netherlands. 'These kits will play an important role in monitoring water safety across Angola and ultimately help prevent the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera.' The initiative was made possible thanks to the generous contributions of the European Union through European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), and the Embassy of the Netherlands, whose support has also enabled technical deployments to strengthen water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) capacity across the country. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Angola.
