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WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
Angola is the 7th largest country on the African continent. Therefore, the environment is key to the nation’s success.
Agriculture supports the majority of Angola’s population but also causes chronic environmental problems. Fishing is a major source of income, supporting domestic and international industry, but now threatens the existence of a number of species.
In short, Angola’s economy is entirely dependent on a balanced use of the country’s environment.Major conservation efforts are essential if the next generations are to enjoy the blessings of the country’s natural landscape.
WHAT IS ANGOLA DOING?
Angola economy has prospered due to the increase of oil exports. Unfortunately, this oil wealth is being retained in the capital. The environment differs tremendously from the rural to urban areas. Sanitation and clean water are some of the biggest concerns in the rural areas. Approximately 22.8% of rural areas have access to clean water, whereas 58% have access in urban areas. When comparing sanitation efforts, 83% have access in urban areas, versus 31% in rural areas.
When one analyses simultaneous access to water and sanitation, the proportion of households using improved water source and adequate sanitation was 31.7% nationally (42% with access to water and 59.6% with access to sanitation). The ratio 66 %between rural and urban households was nearly a fifth, i.e., almost 11 in 100 rural households had access to these two services while in urban areas the figure was nearly 50%. Furthermore, access to these benefits increased dramatically as education of the household occupants increased.
Many urban dwellers also lived in slums with very poor conditions that had an extremely negative impact on the environment and were subject to high transportation costs. According to the 2010 UNICEF report, 87% of urban dwellers lived in a satellite town.
Taking into account these conditions, the government drew up a programme to build one million houses by 2012, which is currently under way and that will change the country's housing situation.
Resources:
http://www.dlist.org/burning-issues/the-ground-angola-pilot-activities-the-bclme-programme
http://www.our-africa.org/angola/facts-figures
http://www.photius.com/countries/angola/economy/angola_economy_food_crops_and_lives~6551.html
http://www.knowswhy.com/why-is-luanda-so-expensive/
http://www.child-sponsorship.com/angola_education.html