This report covers the period of 01/01/2006 to 31/12/2007 of a two-year planning and appeal process.
In brief
Programme summary: Mozambique Red Cross (1) (CVM) prioritized response to emergencies in order to meet the immediate needs of people affected by disasters such as an earthquake in February 2006, cholera outbreak in April 2006, flooding in January 2007, tropical cyclones in February 2007 and munitions explosion in March 2007. Through responding to the recurrent disasters, the National Society (NS) has gained experience in the provision of temporary shelter, relief items, clean water, sanitation facilities, health education and hygiene promotion, supported by a wide network of volunteers. With support from the Federation and Partner National Societies (PNS), CVM has developed an efficient and effective disaster response mechanism, which has earned it credibility among the stakeholders, since the devastating floods of 2000 and 2001.
In 42 resettlement areas, seven health staff and 740 volunteers demonstrate their commitment to assisting the vulnerable and disaster affected population (277,000 people affected by floods, cyclone and cholera), through relief distribution, community-based first aid and establishment of first aid post, hygiene promotion, health education and social mobilisation.
A recovery plan of action has been finalized and CVM is seeking additional funds to support rehabilitation and recovery activities in floods and cyclone affected areas. The plan of action seeks to restore and improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable people and priorities include the provision of shelter for displaced populations; increased access to health and care services through training of volunteers, provision of first aid equipment and establishment of first aid posts; sustainable water supply and sanitation facilities through drilling and rehabilitation of water points (bore holes), latrines and hygiene promotion campaigns; enhancing the early warning system and developing risk reduction and/or mitigation projects.
Due to the recurrent emergencies, donor funding support was mainly focused on disaster response operations, to the detriment of long-term programmes (outlined in the 2006 - 2007 Appeal), which received limited support. However, progress was remarkable under the bilateral and multilateral projects, particularly at provincial level.
Goal: To build and strengthen CVM capacity in order to facilitate scaling-up of health and care, disaster preparedness, response and risk reduction, promotion of Humanitarian Values and capacity development activities, through efficient coordination, cooperation and strategic partnerships at all levels.
Needs: Total 2006-2007 budget CHF 4,187,088 (USD 3,191,375 or EUR 2,705,711) (out of which 26 % covered). The appeal has been revised to include CHF 215,000 from the Norwegian Red Cross for the rehabilitation of the health facilities in Vilanculos district, which were severely damaged by a tropical cyclone in February 2007.
No. of people we help: CVM reached approximately one million people (direct and indirect beneficiaries) during the reporting period. Beneficiaries belong to the lowest social categories with poor economic situation due to limited income opportunities.
Our partners: Support to this appeal was received from the British government through the British Red Cross, Norwegian government through the Norwegian Red Cross, and Finnish Government through the Finnish Red Cross. The Mozambique Floods and cyclone appeal (MDRMZ002) received financial support from American, Austrian, Belgium Flanders, Canadian, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Hong Kong, Icelandic, Irish, Japanese, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish Red Cross Red Crescent Societies. Also from ECHO, DFID, Great Britain private donor and some on-line donations. Other partners supporting through bilateral and multilateral means include; ICRC, WFP, National Aids Council and Disability Development Partners and the government. The National Disaster Management Institute (INGC) coordinated the all the emergency response operations at national level.
Current context
Mozambique succumbed to a number of disasters for most part of the reporting period. In February 2006, an earthquake of magnitude of 7.5 on the Ritcher's scale with epicentre in Maputo Province caused four deaths, injured hundreds and destruction of infrastructure particularly buildings and houses build from local material such as wood poles, mud and grass.
During the same quarter, a cholera outbreak was reported in Sofala, Manica, Zambezia and Nampula provinces with a cumulative 3,800 cases and eight deaths. Cholera is endemic in the country mainly in slums and rural areas without adequate supply of clean water and sanitation facilities.
Torrential rains in December 2006 throughout southern Africa led to overflowing of major rivers and caused localised flooding in central and southern parts of Mozambique. Sofala, Zambezia, Manica and Tete Provinces were the most affected. Approximately 163,000 people were displaced and over 100,000 made completely homeless.
The floods were followed by a tropical cyclone 'Favio' that hit Vilankulos district in Inhambane Province and displaced approximately 133,670 people and caused nine deaths. The cyclone also caused destruction of infrastructure and public facilities, seriously damaging Vilankulos rural hospital, particularly the maternity, surgical theatre and HIV and AIDS departments. A considerable amount of antiretroviral drugs were destroyed putting the people on treatment at risk
On 22 March 2007, a series of explosions occurred in an arms depot located in the Malhazine residential area, of Maputo. The explosions, which lasted for four hours, launched rockets from the arms depot into nearby densely populated slum areas, killing 101 people and injuring approximately 500 civilians.
In addition to the recurrent emergencies, Mozambique still suffers from high poverty levels and shortages of food in some drought stricken areas. Although the government is committed to increasing public expenditure, it has decided in its Health Development Plan (2004-2008) for 11 provinces (Plano de Investimento Provincial da Saúde) not to increase the number of health facilities due to inadequate funding support and shortages of trained personnel. The government chose to strengthen service delivery at the existing facilities; as a result health services have been limited in a number of remote rural communities.
Humanitarian assistance in still needed to help improve the provision of clean water and sanitation facilities, primary health and care services. More resources are also needed to further strengthen early warning systems, community resilience to the effects of natural disasters, and basic education on climate change.
Notes:
(1) In Portuguese is Cruz Vermelha de Moçambique
Contact information
For further information on this Appeal, contact:
In Mozambique: Fernanda Teixeira, Secretary General, Maputo, Email fernanda.teixeira@redcross.org.mz; Phone: Tel: +258.21.497.721; +258.1.490.943; Fax +258.1.497.725
In Operational Zone for Southern Africa: Françoise Le Goff, Head of Zone Office, Johannesburg; Email francoise.legoff@ifrc.org; Phone: Tel: +27.11.303.9700; +27.11.303.9711; Fax: +27.11.884.3809; +27.11.884.0230