The Catholic Church in Angola is organizing a Refugee and Migrant Fair on September 27, 2025, at the Catholic University of Angola (UCAN). The event, coordinated by the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants (CEPAMI), aims to promote peaceful coexistence, celebrate cultural diversity, and recognize the contributions of migrants and refugees to Angola's development.

Fourteen refugee and migrant communities from countries including Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina are expected to participate. Sr. Carla Luísa Frei Bamberg, Executive Secretary of CEPAMI, described the fair as a celebration with strong ecclesial, social, and cultural dimensions, providing migrants and refugees an opportunity to share their stories, values, and talents. She emphasized that the event will serve as a platform to highlight the resilience of those seeking a new life in Angola.

The fair will include cultural exhibitions, traditional dances, international cuisine, and a poetry and music contest focused on migrants as "missionaries of hope." It also aims to raise awareness among Angolan society and authorities about the challenges migrants and refugees face, particularly regarding access to legal documentation, healthcare, and education.

Angola currently hosts approximately 57,000 refugees, mainly from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Eritrea. However, only about 10,000 hold official refugee cards, which are essential for accessing education, healthcare, formal employment, and banking services.

The event reflects the Church’s commitment to fostering inclusion and celebrating the diversity that migrants and refugees bring to Angolan society.