Angola Field Group

Angolan trained staff work in teams removing dangerous items from minefields

The Angola Field Group has been invited to visit Moxico province, where MAG (Mines Advisory Group), a demining organization, is headquartered. MAG has been in Angola since 1994. Moxico is the largest and most land mine contaminated province in the country. It is also home to many former refugees who continue to return and build their lives next to minefields and in close proximity to other explosive remnants of war (ERW).

Building next to minefields

MAG has found and removed 30,000 mines and ERW since 2002, clearing and releasing over 80 million square meters of land for use in agriculture, housing, schools and clinics. With over 400 minefields still in Moxico it is expected that it will take 20-30 more years at the current rate to complete clearance.

Dates and schedule of trip:

Day 1, Friday November 7
-arrive at Luanda domestic airport at 4 for 5AM take-off with national carrier TAAG
– 0615 Arrive at Luena, the capital city of Moxico. MAG will pick up and deliver participants to hotel. Time for rest and wash up
– 1130 Presentation and view of MAG’s base
– 1230 Lunch
– 1400 Detector methodologies and ordnance identification
– 1600 Hotel
 
Day 2, Saturday November 8
-0600 Depart to field locations
-0830 Field brief
-0900/1100 minefield visit (in small groups)
– 1130/1230 mine risk education session
– 1300 visit MAG campsite, about 133km from Luena, near Lucusse, the place where UNITA rebel leader Jonas Savimbi was killed in 2002 and buried.
-1330/ 1500 return to Luena
– 1500/ 1700 rest
-1700 BBQ
 
Day 3, Sunday, November 9
-0540 Depart for airport with MAG
-0845 Arrive Luanda
(there are daily flights to Luanda so if participants want to stay longer and return on Monday this would be possible)
 
Participants will be responsible for purchasing TAAG flight tickets and transport to the Luanda airport. MAG will book the hotel rooms but each participant is responsible for paying for their room, meals, etc. MAG will pick up from and take participants back, to the airport in Luena.

If you have questions or want to sign up for this field trip, please send an email to:  angolafieldgroup@gmail.com  – if you want to sign up include your name, nationality (that appears on passport if applicable) and telephone number.

Foreigners must travel with valid passport and visa.

The hotels are about $120/ room for bed and breakfast
Flights are $330 return
BBQ and expenses $50 – $70

Risk education, teaching villagers how to protect themselves and their families

     Click here to download the MAG brochure in full size.