LocationsCommunities in Bié Step Up Malaria Prevention: “Our Children Cannot Wait”
October 20, 2025
Campaign Launch at Bié
Every year, thousands of families still face the threat of malaria, a disease that continues to affect children and pregnant women most severely. To reduce this burden and strengthen community protection in Angola, a new mosquito net distribution campaign has been launched across the province of Bié.
Led by the National Malaria Control Programme, with technical support from UNDP and implementation by World Vision Angola, the campaign forms part of the Global Fund’s GC7 Grant. The campaign, already launched in Bié, will also expand to the provinces of Cuanza Sul and Benguela, reaching communities across both urban and rural areas.
Just in the first province, the campaign aims to reach up to 80% of households, home to nearly 1.8 million people. More than 1.2 million mosquito nets, of are being distributed, enabling families to strengthen malaria prevention at home and protect those most at risk, especially children and pregnant women.
In total, more than 4.3 million mosquito nets will be distributed across the three provinces.
The distribution of mosquito nets began in Bié Province
In preparation for the launch, UNDP and partners worked closely with municipal administrations to pre-position mosquito nets, organize storage and logistics, and mobilize local structures. This groundwork allowed for a smooth start in Cunhinga and Chinguar, where local authorities and volunteers quickly began community sensitization and household registration.
The campaign was officially launched in Cuito, marking the beginning of a province-wide effort that soon spread to surrounding municipalities.
A few days later, in the Dondo neighbourhood of Chinguar, the campaign advanced with strong community participation. Traditional leaders, activists, and residents gathered to begin distribution activities. Addressing the crowd, the local Soba captured the sense of urgency shared by many:
“Our children cannot wait any longer and spend another night without mosquito nets.”
Families began receiving mosquito nets that same day, accompanied by practical demonstrations on their proper use and care. For many, it was an important reinforcement of community health and prevention practices.
Among them was João Cussumua, an elder who shared his experience:“I lost two of my children to malaria in the past two years. This is the first time my five-year-old son will sleep under a mosquito net. And for me, it will also be the first night sleeping under one after ten years.”
The commitment of the teams, tirelessly walking through each street and neighbourhood, meets the eagerness and hope of the population, who embrace the initiative with enthusiasm.
The distribution of mosquito nets began in Bié Province
Following the first days in Cunhinga and Chinguar, the campaign expanded to Cuito, Andulo, Catabola, Cuemba, Chitembo, Nharea, Camacupa, and Belo Horizonte, reaching both urban and rural areas. The ten newly created municipalities are also being covered through their parent communes, ensuring that every family is included.
Behind each net distributed is a coordinated effort between government institutions, partners, health workers, and communities. Together, they are turning prevention into action, and supporting families like João’s take one simple but vital step towards a healthier future.
In every home visited, every mosquito net distributed, and every sensitization message shared, a new reality is taking shape: Bié is becoming a more protected, more aware, and more determined province in the fight against malaria.
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