At the end of April, US Ambassador to Angola, Dan Mozena, his wife, and five colleagues from the Embassy, visited 4 De Fevereiro, where land is currently being cleared for the benefit of returning refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs).

The Ambassador and his delegation had the opportunity to observe MAG's deminers in operation. After witnessing MAG's team clear a mine-contaminated area and demolish dangerous remnants of war, they were inspired by the work that MAG is doing to prepare the land for returnees.

"My visit to Moxico and, most especially, to the MAG work site outside of Luena was a powerful moment for me," he said. "MAG's wondrous legacy in Moxico is everywhere to see as local people resume lives that fear of landmines had until recently made impossible." 

"There is something so deeply moving about seeing farmers tilling land that once was untouchable, about seeing children playing in an area where mines had earlier been removed, about watching villagers traversing areas that had once been no-go areas." 

"As the representative of the United States in Angola, I was proud that American taxpayers were helping make possible the fine work that MAG is doing to make Angola, once one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, free from landmines."In addition to visiting MAG's operations, the Ambassador met with representatives of the local community, Chief Rogério António Suco, and a representative of the national mine action authority, CNIDAH, Chile Manuel Chicanha.

To illustrate the US government's continued support for MAG's work in Angola, Ambassador Mozena announced the award of two new grants from the US State Department's Office of Weapon's Removal and Abatement. These new awards of more than $2million will allow MAG to continue its lifesaving work in Angola and ensure that Angola's refugees and IDPs are placed on the path to recovery.