Health and Nutrition

Since 2017, riots have been raging in the province of Cabo Delgado In northern Mozambique. Terror has already claimed thousands of lives. By the end of 2020, the conflict had intensified, displacing more than 700,000 people, mainly to the southern districts of Cabo Delgado and adjacent districts of Nampula province. Additionally, in March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit a region already weakened by conflict and the aftermath of Cyclone Kenneth (2019). The region has extremely high levels of food insecurity with gloomy predictions for the coming years. Water, sanitation, and hygiene are already major issues and are only increasing with COVID-19. IDPs are inherently vulnerable, having left everything behind (including their food supplies) and endured tremendous psychological stress.

Therefore, together with our partner (Austrian Red Cross), we aim at improving the livelihood and health conditions of IDPs and host communities in the targeted areas, including special support for vulnerable people such as women and children. 

The objective of this project is to improve the living conditions and health of internally displaced persons (especially women and children) and host communities in Cabo Delgado and Nampula. This is to better manage the negative effects of COVID-19, the escalation of violence and also natural disasters.

Expected results

• The food security is increased in the short and medium term, and malnutrition among women and children is reduced.
• IDPs better able to cope with crises like COVID-19 at the institutional and community level through access to clean water and sanitation as well as improved hygiene and health practices.
• IDPs (mainly women) in the region have increased income opportunities

Our activities combine urgently needed emergency aid with the promotion of medium-term development and resilience building.

• Distribution of food parcels to children and pregnant women
• Agricultural training
• Creation of seed banks
• Distribution of agricultural inputs
• Distribution of protective equipment for medical personnel
• Installation of new water systems
• Construction of sanitary facilities in health centers
• Promotion of business initiatives by women and young people
• Training of young people in maintenance and repair of infrastructure in the project

A total of 112,000 internally displaced persons in Cabo Delgado and Nampula

Austrian Red Cross, Cruz Vermelha de Moçambique, Hilfswerk International Mozambique