With the April 2002 ceasefire in Angola, hundreds of thousands of people in areas previously inaccessible to humanitarian workers were revealed to be starving, victims of the "scorched earth" policy that reigned supreme during the country's long civil war. Responding to these needs made Angola MSF's largest emergency operation in 2002.
MSF also sought to call attention to the way in which political concerns for the peace process undercut humanitarian aid to many of Angola's most vulnerable people at this critical time. By the end of 2002, the nutrition crisis was under control, but in many areas needs were still acute. The resettlement of Angola's millions of displaced people and refugees remains complicated, and preparations minimal. Dangers such as landmines are still present: in November 2002, four MSF national staff members and three patients lost their lives when an anti-tank mine exploded under an MSF vehicle in Cuando Cubando province.
MSF teams continue to provide essential medical care to people in Bengo, Bie, Cuando Cubando, Cuanza Sul, Huambo, Huila, Kwanza Sul, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malange, Menongue, Moxico, Uige and Zaire provinces. They support hospitals and health posts, travel to isolated communities and conduct mobile clinics. Some teams provide assistance to those who are being repatriated or relocated. Teams also fight infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and sleeping sickness. (See page 64 for more on MSF work in Angola.) International staff: 125
National staff: 1,866
