Mozambique humanitarian situation update: July-August 2006
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© UNICEF/MOZA06-00566/G.Pirozzi |
Major developments
Food security
The IASC Humanitarian Early Warning Service reports that as of 12 July, food security and nutrition improved substantially, and the need for food aid should drop by as much as 30% among non-critically vulnerable groups. The country produced 2.3 million tons of cereals including carryover stock compared with a national requirement of 2.6 million tons.
However, the latest report on Mozambique issued by FEWS Net emphasizes that despite this positive scenario, decision-makers should keep in mind that households have not fully recovered from five years of consecutive food production shocks. Localized food deficits in chronically vulnerable and remote areas, in lower income and resource poor households, are likely. Close monitoring of the situation is needed once the lean season begins in October, especially in areas affected by drought.
Cholera situation
On 14 August, health authorities in Beira announced the closing of the local Cholera Treatment Centre (CTC), declaring the end of the epidemic in the city. Despite the improved situation, prevention plans are being developed for the upcoming rainy/cholera season.
The latest figures from the Ministry of Health recorded a total of 6,223 cumulative cases and 29 deaths (0.5%) as of 14 August 2006. Sofala remains the province worst hit by cholera with 3,062 cases and 11 deaths (0.4%) recorded. Other provinces with cholera outbreaks are Nampula (2,297 cases), Zambezia (782 cases) and Manica (82 cases).
Vulnerability Assessment Committee (VAC)
The Vulnerability Assessment Committee, in collaboration with other partners, will conduct a nationwide household survey on food and nutrition security in August/September 2006. The survey aims to identify predictive factors for food insecurity and malnutrition, examine the links between HIV/AIDS, poverty and food insecurity and analyse the structural causes of food insecurity and malnutrition. UNICEF will support the analysis of data relating to the status of children and women.
UNICEF response
Water, sanitation and hygiene promotion
EU support for water, sanitation and hygiene promotion
Tens of thousands of children and their families will benefit from clean water and sanitation in a joint collaboration between the European Union (EU), Government of Mozambique and UNICEF. The new investment of 5,570,000 Euros will help increase access to safe and affordable water and sanitation facilities in critical districts and cities of the provinces of Sofala and Zambezia.
Water point rehabilitation and construction for drought and cholera mitigation
As of 20 August 2006, 124 water points have been rehabilitated, benefiting 113,871 people in Maputo, Gaza, Inhambane, Sofala, Manica and Tete. In the same period, 15 new water points have been constructed, among them 5 in Inhambane, 6 in Sofala and 4 in Zambezia, benefiting 26,712 people.
Support is also being provided to the Provincial Directorate of Public Works and Housing (DPOPH) in Gaza for the assessment and rehabilitation of 15 additional water points in the most critical locations of Massangena, Guija and Chibuto districts. It is expected to benefit 7,500 people chronically affected by the drought.
In addition, 21 water points has been completed in Buzi and Marromeu districts in Sofala province, benefiting about 10,500 people.
Water tankering for drought response and cholera mitigation
Provision of safe drinking water through water trucking is ongoing in Quelimane municipality in Zambezia province, benefiting 42,250 people. UNICEF and local water and public health officials are developing a sustainable strategy for ensuring long term mitigation of cholera in those critical locations.
To date, trucking of safe drinking water has benefited 136,286 people in chronically vulnerable areas of Maputo, Gaza and Nampula provinces.
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© UNICEF/MOZA06-00019/G.Pirozzi |
Nutrition and health response
Nutrition rehabilitation programme
The Ministry of Health, WFP and UNICEF reinforced their commitment to the Nutrition Rehabilitation Programme, to be signed in September 2006. The programme aims to reach malnourished children aged 6-59 months with targeted supplementary and therapeutic feeding in the 18 originally identified districts, plus four provincial capitals.
Severe malnutrition
A review meeting of the first year of implementation of the updated protocol for the treatment of severe malnutrition was held in Zambézia province in July 2006. The review found that the mortality rate due to severe malnutrition had improved to around 7% overall.
Communication and programme communication
Government of Mozambique emergency communication strategy
UNICEF is supporting the development of the Communication Strategy for the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC). The strategy, which is expected to be completed in the next two months, will help define key communication activities for implementation in the next rainy season which begins in October.
Programme communication for cholera prevention
UNICEF communication and social mobilization interventions for cholera prevention are ongoing in Nampula. By the end of July around 30,000 people were reached by interactive mobile unit activities in the province. Communication and social mobilization interventions for cholera prevention have already been completed in Sofala, Zambézia, and Manica provinces.
Avian Flu
Government of Mozambique preparadness for Avian FluThe Ministries of Health and Agriculture held their first press conference on Avian Influenza in July, with the support of UNICEF, WHO and USAID. Journalists were sensitized on correct and prompt reporting on Avian Influenza and informed about the Mozambican Contingency Plan and the multi-sectoral group created to prepare the country for an emergency response if needed.
The first four provincial “trainings of trainers” bringing together health, agriculture and communication officials to create a team of provincial Avian Influenza experts will take place in September 2006.
Education
Education sector emergency preparedness and response
UNICEF is supporting the Ministry of Education and Culture to develop an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) for the Education Sector which will involve extensive consultation with INGC and all partners working in this area.
