Since the end of war, millions of displaced people have returned to their home communities to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. The innovative Development Relief Program helps returnees and other vulnerable groups restore their livelihoods in the rural central highland provinces (Planalto) in Angola. In March 2003, a consortium of five US development and relief organizations, under CARE's leadership, employed food and cash resources to help farmers rebuild their productive assets through food distribution activities, food-for-work to rehabilitate infrastructure, seeds and tools, and technical assistance. The program also increased awareness of land mines, HIV/AIDS and mitigates conflict. The five partners consistedd of Africare, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Save the Children (US) and World Vision. The overall program reached approximately 850,000 people. CARE's component in Bie and Huila Provinces benefited 70,000 people. During its 18 month-life, this program imported over 40,000 metric tons of commodities for program implementation, including corn, beans, lentils, vegetable oil and corn-soya blend (CSB). An important component of the Development Relief Program was the Mine Related Interventions, in which CARE worked with communities in Bie Province to raise awareness of the risk of landmines, to identify mine fields, and to conduct mine surveys. Areas where mines exist was communicated to government authorities and the NGO Halo Trust to ensure clearance of high priority areas such as access routes.
