22nd December 2005Major Developments: Regional Meeting on Disaster Response Preparedness, Johannesburg, 15 Dec: Given the growing occurrence of larger storms around the world and the greater risk of Mozambique being hit by this years’ cyclonic season in the Indian Ocean, OCHA called for a regional preparedness meeting involving key UN, NGO and donor partners from Madagascar and Mozambique. UNICEF participated in the preparation of the country presentation and supported the participation of the emergency focal staff of the Ministry of Health. UNICEF Early Warning - Early Action (EW-EA) System: UNICEF Mozambique is piloting the EW-EA system launched by EMOPS. The goal of this system is effective, early action across the system--country level, regional and headquarters. This system attempts to link warning with action in an effort to institutionalize the most useful, minimal list of key actions which will help ensure a timely and adequate response to humanitarian needs. Cholera Outbreak: The latest figures from the Ministry of Health show that till 6th December 2005 a total of 2,105 cumulative cases and 22 deaths reported. The outbreak continues to register most new cases in Quelimane City. To put this into perspective, a comparison with last year’s situation shows that by December 2004, the cumulative cases had reached a total of 14,010 and 50 deaths.
Mozambican children admitted into Nutrition Rehabilitation Units (NRU) in Malawi: WFP Malawi monitoring reports for November 2005 indicate that on average 30% of the admissions to NRU were from families living on the Mozambican side of the border. Field investigation revealed that the majority of these families come from Tete province and specifically Mutarara district where only 10% of the population in need is covered by the WFP food aid programme (up to October 2005), and the population movements across the borders for market and livelihood exchange are common and frequent. Follow up was conducted with the DPS and MSF in Tete province for review of current capacities for supplementary and therapeutic feeding on the Mozambique side, and to augment ongoing programmes here. While the MOH has sufficient stocks of therapeutic milk, technical support is needed to expand the treatment capacities in Mutarara and a number of other districts. MSF is currently conducting an assessment to initiate support. Assessments: UNICEF Response: Nutrition and Health: During December, microplanning sessions were conducted as part of the integrated nutrition and health programme (INHP) in drought-affected areas. District directors of health from all 18 target districts participated, together with the provincial health authorities, Ministry of Health, at central level, NGOs, WFP and UNICEF. Dates for the training of trainers and training of health workers and NGO partners has been set for the first and second weeks of January and funds have been disbursed for activities for the period January-March 2006. A national nutritionist has been recruited by UNICEF to support the field monitoring and coordination of the joint UNICEF/WFP programme on a short-term basis. 134 health workers were trained on the updated protocol for the treatment of severe malnutrition in Manica, Nampula, Zambezia and Sofala provinces and work continued in the MOH to adapt the protocol and include HIV/AIDS aspects. Funds were disbursed for four refresher training workshops for 130 health workers in the districts most affected by cholera in Sofala and Zambézia provinces. The workshops are taking place in December and January. Special Protection: As part of the response to the Orphaned and Vulnerable Children crisis in Mozambique, UNICEF has developed a basic package of emergency materials to be delivered to the most vulnerable households caring for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children. Crucial materials to be provided include basic household items, hygiene products, water purification tablets, clothing, school materials and mosquito nets. The primary focus of this additional emergency support planned for 2006 is expected to be child-headed households, households with a chronically ill care-giver, and elderly-headed households. Materials, to be locally supplied, will be delivered with the support of government and civil society partners. In order to maximize the effectiveness of the emergency assistance, the delivery of this basic package will be linked to existing social support systems and other basic services available in areas reached.
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