Mozambique

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Charlie Yaxley – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is deeply concerned about recurring violence against foreign nationals, including refugees and asylum-seekers, in South Africa, most recently taking place in Katlehong near Johannesburg in Gauteng Province.

At least twelve people, including both foreign nationals and South Africans, have reportedly been killed since the onset of the recent violence.

Quarante-et-un pays, dont 31 en Afrique, requièrent toujours une aide extérieure afin de couvrir leurs besoins alimentaires, prévient l'Organisation des Nations Unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture (FAO) dans un rapport publié jeudi.

On the eve of the United Nations Climate Action Summit, taking place in New York, United States of America, on 23 September, it is clear that climate change is now affecting every country on every continent. Often, the impact is greatest in regions already facing other challenges, with vulnerable groups of people, including people living with HIV, the most affected.

• In the Philippines, a case of vaccine-derived poliovirus has been detected and is being further investigated, as outbreak response will be implemented. See ‘Philippines’ section below for further details.

• Summary of new viruses this week: Afghanistan — six wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1)- positive environmental samples; Nigeria— one circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) case; Angola— seven cVDPV2 cases

FAO report cites 41 countries needing external assistance for food

Dry weather and protracted conflicts are primary drivers

19 September 2019, Rome - Some 41 countries continue to be in need of external assistance for food, with conflicts acting as the primary cause of high levels of food insecurity and adverse weather conditions - particularly rainfall shortages in Africa - acutely affecting food availability and access for millions of people, a quarterly report by the United Nations says.

In Numbers

2.5 million people in need (HRP, August 2019)
6 provinces affected
1.6 million people in need of food assistance (IPC, July 2019)
2.3 million Cyclone and flood affected people assisted (WFP, since March 2019)

Highlights

• For implementing recovery interventions in Cyclone and drought-affected areas from October 2019 to March 2020, which corresponds to the next harvest season, WFP’s net funding requirements stand at USD 97 million.

Situation Update

In August 2019, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of China signed three agreements on post disaster recovery and reconstruction assistance after Cyclone Idai caused significant destruction in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique. The projects, under the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund, will assist the three countries to reconstruct houses and public facilities including schools to help local people recover from the disaster.

Mozambique: Elections period clouded by attacks on civil society leaders, activists and journalists

Amnesty International has today published a human rights briefing for all parties and candidates taking part in the Mozambican election after revealing a shocking catalogue of abuses carried out against human rights defenders, activists, journalists and other members of civil society over the past few years.

Africa is beset by multiple emergencies with many countries experiencing more than one type in 2019. The UN humanitarian appeals for these country emergencies in 2019 make up 40% of the total global amount for all UN appeals. Almost all of the UN African country appeals (16 out of 17) are between 23% and 48% funded as of September 2019.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is stepping up its support to help Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe to rebuild lives and fast track early recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction after Cyclones Idai and Kenneth. Within six months of the two devastating cyclones, UNDP has mobilized over US$ 60 million to provide additional support for the affected communities.

Overview

This Weekly Bulletin focuses on public health emergencies occurring in the WHO African Region. The WHO Health Emergencies Programme is currently monitoring 70 events in the region. This week’s main articles cover key new and ongoing events, including:

Nairobi, 16 September 2019 - The impacts of climate change such as floods, landslides and extreme heat disproportionately affect the urban poor. This is because these communities often live in inadequate housing in fragile locations like floodplains, with no risk-reducing infrastructure such as functioning storm drains.

OVERVIEW

On the night of 14 to 15 March 2019, Tropical Cyclone IDAI made landfall in central Mozambique. The cyclone brought torrential rains and winds affecting mostly the provinces of Manica, Sofala and Zambézia, causing flash flooding and subsequent destruction.

1,800,944 persons affected by Cyclones Idai and Kenneth as reported by INGC

80,190 persons reported across 66 sites in Sofala, Manica, Tete, and Zambezia Provinces in DTM’s multisectoral location assessment (as of 8 August)

500,520 persons assisted by IOM with various shelter and essential household items in Sofala, Manica and Cabo Delgado Provinces. (calculated using average household size of five)

HIGHLIGHTS

UNICEF projects more than 38,000 children could become severely malnourished by early 2020

Download video, b-roll and images here: https://uni.cf/2WtSxed

Beira, Mozambique. Tens of thousands of Mozambicans are still living in resettlement camps six months after their homes were destroyed by Cyclone Idai, putting children at risk of abuse and exploitation as they struggle to survive.

Despite a massive humanitarian effort that has helped feed, re-school and prevent a cholera outbreak the country is still struggling to recover from Cyclones Idai and then Kenneth that hit the country in March and April.

Maputo – With Mozambique devastated by drought, flooding and Cyclones Idai and Kenneth in the past several months, humanitarian partners yesterday (12/09) launched the revised Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) requesting over USD 397 million to support affected populations.

Six months on from the devastation wreaked by Cyclone Idai in which more than 1,000 people were killed in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, hunger is escalating as the United Nation’s humanitarian response in Mozambique is less than half funded, warned Oxfam. Only 45% of Mozambique’s humanitarian appeal has been funded, while the number of people in need of food aid has risen by 25% since April 2019 – up from 1.6 million to 2 million as the impact of Cyclones Idai and Kenneth has been compounded by drought in the South and unrest in the North.

• The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners and the United Arab Emirates co-hosted an informal reception as a pre-event ahead of the Polio Pledging Moment in the United Arab Emirates’-hosted Reaching the Last Mile Forum in Abu Dhabi, in November 2019. The GPEI also presented the 2019-2023 GPEI Investment Case. Read more.