Mozambique is prone to a wide range of natural disasters, which regularly causes major damage and sets back economic growth. Natural disasters have long-lasting consequences due to the high level of vulnerability of the population as a result of poverty and HIV and AIDS.
Mozambique is recurrently hit by droughts, floods and cyclones. Meteorological records show that flooding usually occurs during the rainy season between the months of October and April, with some slight variations across the country, affecting principally river valleys and low-lying areas where drainage systems are weak or do not exist. Cyclones typically form between the months of October and April, mainly affecting the coastline of Mozambique but occasionally moving inland. High levels of vulnerability and susceptibility to climate changes has a tremendous impact on Mozambique’s people, livestock, property, natural resources and physical infrastructure. Natural disasters in Mozambique remain a key obstacle to sustainable development and the achievement of the Millennium Developmental Goals (MDGs).
Humanitarian Priority Focus Areas:
Humanitarian Response Activities
To ensure effective disaster preparedness and response the Mozambique Humanitarian Country Team comprised of UN agencies and NGOs (HCT) has developed an Inter-Agency Contingency Plan. The plan takes into account the country’s propensity for rapid and slow on-set natural disasters, and addresses preparedness and response efforts.
In collaboration with the Government, the Humanitarian Country Team has identified the following priorities
- Prevention disease outbreaks through water, hygiene and sanitation activities.
- Food security and nutrition
- Shelter
- HIV and AIDS
- Education
- Early Recovery (rehabilitation of disaster affected areas)
In response to the flood and cyclone emergency in early 2008, the Government declared an emergency and sought international humanitarian assistance. In response to this, the United Nations and its partners developed a Flash Appeal requesting approximately USD$35,2 million of which a total of US $ 4,251,994 was provided from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).