Humanitarian response

Mozambique humanitarian situation update: September-October 2006

Major Developments

Food Security
The IASC Humanitarian Early Warning Service reports that as of 23 October, the country’s food security situation is satisfactory and household food availability has been stable over the past few months. After five consecutive years of production shocks, this is the first year with good agricultural performance. Food prices remain stable and even below average, allowing households greater access to food.

The October 2006 FEWS Net Food Security Update confirms these findings, but does however note the potential for localized food insecurity to emerge during the October 2006 to March 2007 lean season in areas of the central and southern regions such as northern Gaza Province, southern Tete Province and parts of Sofala Province. These chronically vulnerable areas face structural problems that limit the ability of households to withstand the effects of crop production failure or shocks. This is especially the case for already vulnerable households – including households headed by children, women and the elderly, and households affected by HIV/AIDS.

National Food Security and Nutrition Household Survey
Data collection for the nationwide baseline survey on food security and nutrition was conducted by the Vulnerability Assessment Committee (VAC) in October 2006. The survey is intended to provide detailed information on food security and nutrition, which can serve as a baseline for future monitoring. Baseline information from the survey is expected to become available for use by the end of 2006.

Baseline information was collected on: demographic, social and economic characteristics; food availability; assets and well-being (including access to water and sanitation); household expenditure and consumption; participation in community organizations; access to social assistance and protection; market access and prices; use of food (quality of diet, etc.); shocks and coping strategies; chronic illness and mortality (including as related to HIV/AIDS); and child and maternal health and nutritional status. UNICEF is supporting the analysis of disaggregated data from the survey relating to the status of children and women.

Contingency planning
The National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC) held an emergency simulation exercise from 25 to 27 October 2006. The exercise aimed to test the operational capacity of the National Emergency Operation Centre (CENOE) in Maputo, as well as community-based risk reduction committees of Caia and Buzi districts in Sofala Province, in a cyclone and flooding scenario. UNICEF supported the simulation exercise at national and local levels with the participation of staff in the areas of Education, Health & Nutrition, Water and Environmental Sanitation, and Emergency Coordination.

The Council of Ministers of Mozambique has approved the INGC Contingency Plan for the 2006-2007 rainy season. The Contingency Plan includes preparedness and response activities within the Ministries of Meteorology, Agriculture, Health, the National Water Directorate and the INGC to address potential drought, flooding, cyclone and earthquake emergencies. The Plan takes into account seasonal weather predictions from the Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF).

Cholera Situation
The latest figures from the Ministry of Health recorded a total of 6,309 cumulative cases of cholera in Mozambique with 29 deaths (0.5%) as of 12 October 2006. Sofala remains the province worst hit by cholera with 3,063 cases and 11 deaths (0.4%). A 3.5% increase of cholera cases has been reported in Nampula Province since the last reporting period, with 82 new incidences recorded. UNICEF supported the training of health workers in Nampula province on cholera case management in April 2006.

UNICEF Response

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion

Water Point Rehabilitation and Construction for Drought and Cholera Mitigation
As of 23 October 2006, 129 water points have been rehabilitated, out of a total 132 planned, benefiting 113,871 people in six drought and cholera vulnerable provinces. In addition, 15 new water points have been constructed in Inhambane (5), Sofala (6) and Zambezia (4), out of a total 16 planned. 26,712 people are benefiting from the construction of new water points.

The Provincial Directorate of Public Works and Housing (DPOPH) in Gaza is implementing programme to rehabilitate 15 additional water points. The rehabilitations have been started in Massangena districts, one the most critical locations. It is expected that these activities will benefit around 7,500 people chronically affected by the drought.

As a part of UNICEF cholera response and mitigation efforts, the rehabilitation and construction of 21 water points has been completed in Buzi and Marromeu districts in Sofala province, benefiting about 10,500 people.

UNICEF is supporting long term cholera prevention efforts in mitigation of cholera in Quelimane, Zambézia province, assisting the Municipality to extend 2,968 metres of piped water to the chronically vulnerable and cholera prone areas.

Water Tankering for Drought Response and Cholera Mitigation
With the beginning of the rainy season, UNICEF and the local authorities in the Municipality of Quelimane, including district health and water authorities, have signed a memorandum of understanding to continue supporting water trucking in the area until March 2007. These water trucking efforts will benefit 42,250 people.

UNICEF is working with the Quelimane Municipality to develop longer term cholera prevention and mitigation strategies, such as the provision of piped water to the most vulnerable areas, offering viable and sustainable substitutes to water trucking.

To date, trucking of safe drinking water has benefited 136,286 people in chronically vulnerable areas of Maputo, Gaza and Nampula provinces.

Nutrition and Health Response

Nutrition Rehabilitation Programme
The Minister of Health has approved the signing of the Tripartite Agreement between the Ministry of Health, WFP and UNICEF for the Nutrition Rehabilitation Programme (NRP). The goal of the NRP is to strengthen Ministry of Health capacity at national and local levels to reach malnourished children between the ages of six and 59 months with targeted supplementary and therapeutic feeding, including the distribution of Corn Soya Blend (CSB). Though the Tripartite Agreement has not yet been signed, supplementary feeding and other nutrition activities under the NRP have continued in some districts, with district health teams taking responsibility for the distribution of CSB.

UNICEF is seeking emergency funding to address the pipeline break in CSB reported by WFP at their latest Cooperating Partners meeting held in October. According to current estimates, WFP will exhaust CSB stocks by the end of November 2006. WFP is opting to reduce rations rather than reduce the number of beneficiaries in order to prolong on-going programmes.

Severe Malnutrition
A concept paper for a comprehensive nutrition rehabilitation programme has been developed together with the Ministry of Health. The more comprehensive strategy would include screening, nutrition education, supplementary feeding, community-based treatment of severe malnutrition and in-patient treatment in health facilities. In 2007, UNICEF will support the national roll-out of community-based treatment of severe malnutrition.

UNICEF and the Ministry of Health have also developed a concept paper to address food and nutrition support for people living with AIDS, in recognition of the need for the more effective integration of nutrition and HIV/AIDS interventions. Feedback from local level health workers continuously stresses the importance of providing food and nutrition support to food-insecure people living with AIDS, and the high rate of HIV among severely malnourished children.

Education

Education Sector Emergency Preparedness and Response
UNICEF and the Ministry of Education and Culture are approaching the final stages of development of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) for the Education Sector. The key lines of the plan were presented to stakeholders on 25 October 2006; inputs will be incorporated into the final version which will be shared with all partners in November. Implementation of the Education Sector EPRP is expected to begin in 2007.

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