The Impact of Volunteering.

On April 12, 2026, the province of Benguela was affected by severe floods that caused the displacement of hundreds of families and the loss of homes. As a response to the emergency, temporary reception centers were created, known as Campismo Novo, Campismo Velho, and the center installed at the Ombaka National Stadium.

Faced with this situation, UNICEF mobilized human and financial resources to support the humanitarian response in the areas of Nutrition, Education and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (ASH), contributing to the protection and well-being of affected populations.

Among the displaced families were thousands of children aged 6 to 59 months, a priority group for interventions to prevent, detect and treat acute malnutrition. With the support of the BFA Foundation, UNICEF implemented a set of actions to strengthen the nutritional response in reception centres, including:

• Training of cooks in good practices of food handling, hygiene and infant feeding;
• Training of community agents to support nutrition activities;
• Three rounds of nutritional screening in children from 6 to 59 months;
• Creation of a mobile Therapeutic Program for Outpatient Patients (PTPA) in the campsites;
• Formation of mother-to-mother support groups to promote appropriate child nutrition practices;
• Distribution of premix (multimixture) for the prevention of child malnutrition.

The success of these interventions was possible thanks to the commitment and dedication of several volunteers, among whom Luciano Katengue and Laquitovana Manuel stand out, two inspiring examples of community leadership and solidarity.

Luciano Katengue: a young man committed to child nutrition

Scout and community volunteer, Luciano Katengue participated in a training on nutritional screening and infant feeding along with 28 other young people. Among all the participants, he stood out for his high commitment, remaining active throughout the emergency response.

Luciano participated in the three rounds of nutritional screening, supported community mobilization activities, and collaborated in education sessions on hygiene practices and infant feeding.

According to him:

"Working as a volunteer has been an extremely rewarding experience. Knowing that the knowledge gained can contribute to improving the health and nutrition of the children in my community gives me a great sense of accomplishment. This project has allowed me to grow as a person, acquire new skills and better understand the importance of community service."

Her testimony demonstrates how volunteering not only strengthens the humanitarian response, but also promotes the development of young leaders committed to the well-being of their communities.

Laquitovana Manuel: from the condition of victim to community leadership

Laquitovana Manuel was directly affected by the floods and welcomed in one of the campsites. Her first contact with UNICEF-supported activities took place during an awareness-raising session for chefs on food hygiene and good food handling practices.

Recognizing her leadership potential and communication skills, the nutritional response team invited her to facilitate mother-to-mother support groups. Despite the difficulties faced due to her own victim status, Laquitovana accepted the challenge and became a key player in mobilizing and accompanying families.

Since June 2026, she has facilitated regular meetings with mothers and caregivers, addressing topics such as:

• Breastfeeding;
• Complementary feeding;
• Prevention of malnutrition;
• Safe food preparation;
• Essential care for child health and nutrition.

In addition to the facilitation of the groups, Laquitovana supports nutritional screening activities and participates in training actions for community agents.

Sharing his experience, he says:

"After the floods, I was facing a very difficult period on an emotional level. Participating in the activities and socializing with the team helped me to regain confidence, develop new skills and find purpose in supporting other mothers. Today I am happy to be able to contribute to the well-being of the children and families in my community."

An impact that transforms lives

The involvement of Luciano Katengue and Laquitovana Manuel demonstrates the key role of volunteering in the humanitarian response. Their work has contributed to the early identification of children with acute malnutrition, referral for appropriate treatment, and sensitization of mothers and caregivers about essential child nutrition practices.

Through their commitment, hundreds of families have had access to information and support that has contributed to improving child care and strengthening the resilience of flood-affected communities.

More than volunteers, Luciano and Laquitovana have become agents of change, demonstrating that community involvement is one of the fundamental pillars for an effective and sustainable response to emergencies.