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	Photographs from the War Victims Fund's Angola Rehabilitation Program
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Angola

Photos courtesy of Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation Download this program description (pdf, 24kb) Angola Rehabilitation Program Implementing Partner: Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF) Funding Period: October 2004 - September 2005 (currently being extended until December 2006) Amount: $1,147,163 Purpose: Improve the lives of people with mobility-related injuries in and around Moxico Provincethrough rehabilitation and social and economic reintegration. Accomplishments Established the first rehabilitation center in Luena, the capital of Moxico Province Produced/repaired 200 prostheses and orthoses during the grant period Produced and delivered 350 mobility aids Conducted 3,300 physiotherapeutic interventions with 600 amputees and other disabled Provided 800 amputees and other physically disabled with individual or group psychosocial counseling at the rehabilitation center or in their communities in the three eastern provinces of Angola Organized community-based recreational and competitive sports activities, which were attended by 500 amputees and other physically disabled

Wheelchair users play wheelchair basketball. Source: Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation

For almost four decades, Angolans have been directly affected by armed conflict. As many as 350,000 Angolan men, women, and children are landmine victims. In addition, thousands of Angolans suffer from otherwise preventable, disabling diseases such as paralytic polio. It is estimated that over 500,000 Angolans have physical disabilities, representing more than three percent of the country’s estimated 15 million inhabitants.

USAID’s Leahy War Victims Fund has been supporting rehabilitation efforts in Angola since 1991. In 1996, the LWVF began a partnership with Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation to expand orthopedic assistance to underserved and isolated eastern regions of the country. These areas were primarily under rebel control, with the exception of the Moxico provincial capital of Luena, where the Regional Rehabilitation Center is based. Despite the challenges of working in what was until February 2002 a war zone, VVAF established a fully functioning orthopedic workshop. The workshop has remained operational since its inception in 1997, and now receives regular referrals from the three eastern provinces of Moxico, Lunda Sul, and Lunda Norte.

VVAF has also developed a number of approaches to helping war victims re-enter society and participate in social, economic and recreational activities. This is achieved primarily through providing technical assistance and training, and partnering with local organizations.

With the cease fire and peace accords holding, the LWVF has consolidated the investments made to date, and is focusing its ongoing efforts on the long-term sustainability of rehabilitation services in the region. The Moxico Regional Rehabilitation Center is currently being integrated into the National Rehabilitation Program with core operational costs and staff salaries assumed by the Ministry of Health.

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