Mozambique humanitarian situation update: June 2006
Major Developments
Food Security
The production estimates released by the Ministry of Agriculture reveal that this year’s maize production of 1.5 million MT has been the best in the last five years. The good production is due largely to favourable rainfall and has surpassed domestic annual maize consumption needs. However, Mozambique will still need to import 565,000 MT of wheat, which the country does not produce, to meet total domestic cereal needs.
In the southern and central provinces, where a second agricultural season is commonly practiced, rainfall since the beginning of April has been near average. Despite the occurrence of some plant disease, second season crops are developing reasonably well and will likely make a substantial contribution to household income and food production. Food prices will continue to fall as supplies continue flowing into the markets. (Source: FEWS NET)
Vulnerability Assessment Committee (VAC)
The Vulnerability Assessment took place from 28 May to 3 of June covering all provinces. Preliminary analysis of assessment data suggests that the food security situation has dramatically improved since the last VAC assessment in February 2006 and that the first agricultural season has been very productive with some provinces reaching production levels at a 5-year high. Food prices continue to decrease and are showing a tendency to stabilize. The situation of livestock has also been assessed as good; pasture and water are available, but a few cases of Newcastle and African swine disease have been reported.
UNICEF Response
Cholera Response
According to figures from the Mozambique Ministry of Health there are a total of 5,980 cumulative cases of cholera in the country, with 27 deaths reported as of 27 June 2006. Sofala remains the province worst hit by cholera with 3,062 cases and 11 deaths to date. Other provinces with cholera outbreak are Nampula (2,054 cases), Zambezia (782 cases) and Manica (82 cases). UNICEF is responding to the cholera situation by rehabilitating existing water sources and creating new sources in affected areas to mitigate the cholera threat.
UNICEF is also working to promote good hygiene practices in communities and prevent cholera cases by training community leaders in vulnerable areas. UNICEF is supporting the Provincial Health Directorate in training of community leaders in several provinces.
UNICEF is supporting the efforts of interactive mobile unit activities on cholera prevention. Interactive mobile unit activities in Sofala province reached approximately 30,000 people and 36,000 people in Zambezia province. The mobile units are presenting videos produced by ICS Zambezia and ICS-Sofala which focus on the need for good environmental hygiene practices as a way of preventing diseases, particularly cholera. The videos have also been broadcast by the Mozambique Public Television (TVM), which covers all capital cities and some districts.
Other social mobilisation activities include community theatre activities and community debates aiming at changing behaviors and improving hygiene practices. Around 12,000 people from 45 communities in Sofala province and 70,000 people from 60 communities in Zambezia province have been reached.
Drought Emergency Response
UNICEF continues to support the efforts of the Government of Mozambique and other national partners to meet the challenges posed by the persistent drought situation. To date in 2006, 124 water points have been rehabilitated and 15 new water points have been built benefiting over 127,000 people in drought affected areas. Water trucking in Maputo, Gaza and Nampula has benefited more than 136,000 people suffering from the conditions created by the drought.
Avian Flu
UNICEF is working with donors and international partners to support the Government of Mozambique in planning a pre-epidemic awareness raising campaign for Avian Flu. Guidelines for provincial trainings as well as pamphlets for public awareness-raising have been finalised and will be soon produced with UNICEF support. Provincial trainings for journalists, NGOs and teachers’ associations are also planned.
Health and Nutrition
UNICEF and WFP are partnering with the Government of Mozambique to implement the Integrated Nutrition and Health Programme. Since efforts began in March 2006, 71,377 children under age five have been screened for health and nutrition vulnerabilities. So far, 4,673 children have been identified as moderately malnourished and 759 as severely malnourished. 30,690 children have received Vitamin A supplements and 33,525 children have been dewormed. Plans are being put in place under the integrated nutrition and health programme (INHP) led by the Ministry of Health, WFP and UNICEF for the distribution of Corn Soya Blend nutritional supplements for identified malnourished children.
In June, 52 health workers from 12 districts in Tete and Sofala provinces were trained on the updated protocol for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition.
UNICEF has participated in the latest assessment of the Vulnerability Assessment Committee (VAC) the last week of May 2006. While the assessment found that the food security situation had improved, high levels of structural chronic malnutrition continue, especially in the northern areas of Mozambique.
Education
UNICEF is supporting the Ministry of Education and Culture in the development of its Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan for the Education Sector. The Ministry of Education and Culture and UNICEF will coordinate efforts closely with the INGC to ensure a more integrated and cross-sectoral preparedness and response plan.
