Emergencies

Situation analysis

Mozambique is vulnerable to natural disasters, such as floods, drought and cyclones. This vulnerability is further compounded by fragile structures with weakened institutional capacity, and the HIV pandemic impact, collectively termed the "Triple Threat." The vulnerability on account of natural disasters impacts negatively on the health sector, with major health concerns such as the emergence of epidemic-prone diseases, malnutrition as a result of food insecurity, and increase of communicable diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea, etc.

Floods

Since 2000, two major floods occurred in Mozambique, with a very important impact on social infrastructures. Localized flooding is common in Mozambique during the southern Africa region rainy season, which lasts from October to March. The situation is further worsened by the weak health care services network.

Cyclones

According to data base on cyclones, major incident areas are located at the coast of the national territory with impact inside the country. Thirty two episodes of cyclone and tropical depression have been recorded since 1970. In 2000, cyclone Eline caused 700 deaths and extensive flooding in the southern half of Mozambique.

Drought

Drought conditions are relatively chronic in the southern and central regions of Mozambique, having an important impact on food security and livelihoods. The main problem is that affected populations do not have sufficient time to recover from the economic and social impacts provoked by droughts between one cycle and the next. While the situation has improved in recent years due to increased agricultural production and food security, communities are still suffering from the effects of the last drought. Many households, already vulnerable to other socio-economic factors including the impact of HIV, are often too weak to cope with the cumulative shocks caused by droughts.

Challenges, achievements and next steps

Challenges

• Building capacity for assessment and response to crises by ensuring the presence of adequately trained and appropriately skilled staff at all levels;
• Support of the vulnerability assessment and development of emergency preparedness plans.

Achievements

• Implementation of the health cluster approach during the 2007 emergency response.
• Inter agency contingency planning for emergencies 2008.

Perspectives

• Support to the MoH in developing a preparedness plan encompassing contingency plans addressing major risks, in collaboration with the national plan (Instituto Nacional de Gestão das Calamidades);
• Support to building MoH capacity related to the contingency plans at all levels.