Vice-Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion Monitors Social Protection and Child Support Programmes in the RAEOA
The Vice-Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Céu Brites, paid a working visit to the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cússe Ambeno (RAEOA) from September 14th to 16th, 2026, where she monitored the implementation of the Conditional Mother’s Allowance Programme – Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition (BdMK-SANUTRIO), participated in child protection initiatives, and attended the handover to the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI) of a shelter for victims of domestic and gender-based violence.
As part of the monitoring of BdMK-SANUTRIO, the Vice-Minister visited the health centres in Boacnana, in the Nitibe Administrative Post, and in Oesilo and Baqui, in Pante Macassar, accompanied by technical teams from the MSSI, as well as representatives from the RAEOA and the World Food Programme (WFP).
The programme provides support to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children up to three years of age, aiming to contribute to the improvement of maternal and child health and nutrition. In the RAEOA, 2,864 eligible beneficiaries have been identified.
In Nitibe, the programme covers 522 beneficiaries, including 36 pregnant women, 141 breastfeeding mothers, and 345 children up to three years of age. In Oesilo, 404 beneficiaries are registered, including 40 pregnant women, 134 breastfeeding mothers, and 230 children. At the Baqui Health Centre, the programme has 511 beneficiaries, comprising 47 pregnant women, 176 breastfeeding mothers, and 288 children.
During the visits, the Vice-Minister monitored the implementation procedures of the programme and the support provided to beneficiaries, emphasising the need for families to make use of the assistance and nutritious food made available to improve the nutrition and health of mothers and children.
Following the monitoring conducted at the Oesilo Health Centre, two child beneficiaries of SANUTRIO, from the village of Bobometo, were referred to the RAEOA Regional Hospital due to signs of malnutrition. Céu Brites subsequently visited the two children at the hospital, where she was briefed by the medical team on their assessment and the care provided. According to information shared during the visit, both showed signs of improvement and remained under medical supervision.
On September 16th, the Vice-Minister also participated in the signing ceremony for the handover agreement to the MSSI of a shelter provided by the RAEOA. The document was signed by the Director-General of Corporate Services of the MSSI, Fernando dos Reis, and the Regional Secretary for Social Affairs and Community Organisation, Merita Marques Lafo.
The shelter is intended for the temporary accommodation of women and children who are victims of domestic and gender-based violence, equipped to ensure protection, security, support, and social monitoring during their recovery and reintegration processes.
Céu Brites explained that “this shelter will serve as a temporary space for victims of domestic violence, women, and children”, as part of the cooperation established between the MSSI and the RAEOA Authority.
The ceremony was attended by the President of the RAEOA Authority, Régio Servantes Roméia da Cruz Salu, the President of the National Institute for the Defence of Children's Rights (INDDICA), Dinora Granadeiro, representatives of the PNTL and F-FDTL, and other regional entities.
Also on September 16th, the Vice-Minister attended, at the Port of Kitahara in Mahata, Pante Macassar, the launch of leaflets and information boards aimed at raising awareness for the protection of children selling goods on the streets and in other public spaces.
The initiative, organised in coordination with the RAEOA Authority and INDDICA, seeks to raise awareness among families and communities regarding children's rights and the risks associated with the involvement of minors in economic activities that could compromise their safety, health, education, and well-being.
On the occasion, Céu Brites stated: “We understand that many families face very difficult economic situations and that some need support to meet their children’s needs, but this must not happen at the expense of children’s rights, namely access to education and other rights.”
The Vice-Minister further emphasised that children have the right to care, protection, health, nutrition, and education, and that their protection constitutes a responsibility shared by families, communities, the Government, and competent institutions.
On September 14th, a meeting was also held with staff from the RAEOA Social Solidarity and Inclusion Centre to evaluate the work undertaken, identify difficulties in service delivery, and examine measures to improve support for vulnerable populations.
The working visit to the RAEOA allowed the Vice-Minister and the teams from the MSSI and the RAEOA to monitor the various components of social intervention in the region, ranging from maternal and child health and nutrition to child protection, support for victims of violence, and the functioning of social services.
