The “Kula Ciwa” project (“grow well” in Umbundu) was launched on Wednesday, July 10, in the municipality of Cubal, Benguela, under the leadership of a consortium of two civil society organisations — the Youth Association for Solidarity (AJS) and the Community Interaction Organisation (OIC). The initiative aims to promote preventive actions against malaria in local communities and is backed by €300,000 in funding from Vall d’Hebron, with an implementation period of two years.
The funding, channelled through the Spanish-based “La Caixa” Foundation, was designed to support preventive and prophylactic measures in response to the alarming malaria situation in the region.
The Angolan Government and civil society organisations share concerns about the threat malaria continues to pose to children under the age of five, as well as to pregnant women.
In light of this challenge, both parties have joined forces in a project officially launched in the municipality of Cubal.
Local authorities have recently expressed concern about the prevalence of the disease in the area. Idalina Rosário, Deputy Municipal Administrator for Political, Economic and Social Affairs, revealed that the municipality recorded seven malaria-related deaths during the first quarter of this year alone.
The official praised the initiative, highlighting its strong focus on community-level intervention.
Among the areas identified as particularly vulnerable, Idalina Rosário pointed to the locality of Cucu as one of the most affected.
Source: O País
