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Increasing number of orphaned need care and support
Latest multi-sectoral data shows critical vulnerability of maternal orphans to poor nutrition and health
MAPUTO, 20 November 2003 – Half of those affected by the combined impact of drought and HIV/AIDS in southern and central Mozambique are children. The additional analysis of data collected by the national Vulnerability Assessment Committee (VAC) in May and June shows that the situation of orphaned children has become particularly worrying. Maternal orphans were found to be 50% more likely to be chronically malnourished than the general child population (56% versus 37.6%) and 120% more likely to be severely chronically malnourished (36.4% versus 15.3%). Further, maternal orphans were also found to have considerably lower access to care and a higher likelihood of getting sick.
The additional analysis of the VAC findings is published today by UNICEF and the Technical Secretariat for Food Security and Nutrition (SETSAN). “The latest data highlights that we need to do more to ensure that orphaned children are identified and are receiving appropriate support. The limited response to the UN Regional Appeal is having an extremely negative impact on our ability to respond to the situation”, stated Marie-Pierre Poirier, UNICEF Representative in Mozambique. “To date we have received less than 5% of the funds we need for this.”
Conducted in May-June 2003 in 29 districts affected by the dual impact of food insecurity and the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the assessment confirms the very high mortality rate among children, with one in four Mozambican children dying before they reach their fifth birthday. The overall crude mortality rate (mortality rate among all age groups) in the affected areas was found to be two-thirds higher than the national crude mortality rate. The mortality rate was particularly high for adults aged 15-49 years in Sofala Province, which also records the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in the country.
The data shows high numbers of orphaned children in the affected areas, as well as large numbers of children not living with one or both of their natural parents. The highest proportion of orphaned children (be they paternal, maternal or orphaned children of both parents) were all found in Maputo Province (15.9%, 4.9% and 2.2% respectively). Among children under 18 years of age, 9.5% do not live with their natural mother, 28.7% do not live with their natural father, and 7.1% do not live with either of their natural parents.
In general, the assessment showed similar levels of vulnerability to those in the previous survey conducted in November-December 2002. Acute malnutrition remained almost at the same level (4.3% compared to 4.8%), although it was expected to drop. While the previous assessment was carried out during the normal ‘lean’ season, the latest data was collected after the harvest period. During the two weeks preceding the assessment, one in two children had suffered from fever and one in four children had suffered from diarrhoea. These figures are much higher than the national data, highlighting the continuing deterioration of the health situation in the affected areas.
Within the framework of the UN Regional Consolidated Appeal launched in July 2003, UNICEF is appealing for a USD 8.5 million to continue working to minimise the impact of the current humanitarian situation.
Within the framework of the Government’s Contingency Plan, UNICEF - in close collaboration with other UN agencies - is supporting a series of interventions aimed at addressing both the immediate life-saving needs and the underlying causes of vulnerability among children and women. This includes among other things:
- the identification of orphaned children, and child and elderly headed households;
- nutritional and epidemiological surveillance; supplementary and therapeutic feeding; participatory education to strengthen hygiene, nutrition and caring practices; and Vitamin A supplementation and de-worming in the most affected districts;
- and the provision of learning materials to prevent children affected by the humanitarian situation from dropping out of school.
UNICEF is also supporting the Ministry for Women and the Co-ordination of Social Action (MMCAS) and the Foundation for Community Development (FDC) in organising the first national seminar on children orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. During the seminar, which takes place in Maputo from 24th-28th November 2003, participants from Government, Non-Governmental Organisations, UN agencies together with young people will discuss how to improve access of these children to basic social services and how to improve the quality of these services.
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For further information, please contact:
Michael Klaus – Communication Officer,
UNICEF Mozambique (+258 82 312 812) mklaus@unicef.org
Louise Maule - Emergency Co-ordinator,
UNICEF - Mozambique (+258 82 317916) lmaule@unicef.org
