Palms for Life Fund - Priority Countries

ANGOLA

Population: 15,941,000
Gross National Income per capita: US$1,350
Under 5 mortality rate (per thousand): 260
Infant mortality rate (per thousand): 154
Maternal mortality rate (per 100,000): 1,700
Adult literacy rate: 67%
Male 82%
Female 54%
Net primary school enrollment/attendance rate: 58

Angola

Despite substantial and varied natural resources, Angola remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Angola is a potentially wealthy country, with large resources of oil, diamonds, and gas, but economic performance outside of these areas has been dismal.

Although the per capita income has been boosted (due to oil and diamonds), human development indicators remain poor, reflecting the heavy toll of nearly three decades of conflict that ended only in 2002. This has left most of Angolans without sustainable incomes and lacking basic services. Approximately 70 percent of the population lives on less than 2 dollars a day.

In order to address the high poverty level in the nation interesting steps have been taken, including microfinance programs. It is estimated that more than 50% of the population survive from informal sector businesses and within this population, 82% is self-employed. Microfinance focuses on micro and small business development, thereby supporting the informal sector and contributing to the creation of employment and higher incomes.

Health and education indicators remain among the worst in the world. Primary school enrollment is only increasing slowly, from 50 percent in 1990 to 53 percent in 2000. The quality of schooling facilities is often very poor and classes irregular.

The infant mortality rate of 154 per 1,000 births is high as compared to only 5 per 1,000 births in industrialized countries. Furthermore, life expectancy at birth in Angola is at only 41 years. This implies that people in industrialized nations, with a life expectancy of 79 years, live more than 35 years longer than those in Angola.

Nutrition is a concern in Angola and wasting rates are very high. In the area where the majority of civil conflict occurred the situation regarding chronic malnutrition is considered critical.

There are several risks to food security within Angola. Angolans, displaced because of decades of civil war, are now returning to the country and finding that there is a severe lack of infrastructure. Many have little knowledge of local farming after being gone for so long. Landmines present a major problem, as well as flooding and drought concerns.

Palms for Life Fund will focus its investment on improving maternal health and the health of children, improving maternal and infant mortality rates, increasing literacy rates (especially among girls and women), and creating new income earning opportunities through micro-credit.

Sources:
The State of the World’s Children 2006, UNICEF
World Food Programme – Country Program 2004-2008
The World Bank – Country Brief
CIA World Factbook
UN Development Programme
UNDP Human Development Index

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