Africare-Mozambique

Africare´s History in Mozambique:

 

Established in 1984, Africare-Mozambique has since implemented projects including small-scale agriculture and irrigation, large water and sanitation, and edible oil production. In 1975 Mozambique emerged from a long independence struggle; and before it could rebuild, the young nation became a target of a regional destabilization war instigated by pro-apartheid forces in neighboring South Africa. By the war's end in 1992, up to a million Mozambicans had died and the economy as well as much of the infrastructure had been ruined. Throughout the 1990s, the country carried out a wide range of basic development activities along with macroeconomic reforms, which have led to dramatic improvements. In 2000 and 2001, however, severe floods affected a quarter of the population; and in 2002, many of the central and southern areas were struck by drought.  Although subsistence agriculture employs the vast majority of the people, poverty remains widespread

With high HIV/AIDS prevalence rates (up to 20 percent in some parts of the country), Mozambique is among the Southern African nations that constitute the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which tragically affects the children. In 2005 Africare began a major program providing community-based support to AIDS orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and their caretakers. 

 

Previous Programs

Africare-Mozambique has also implemented “The Manica Food Security Initiative” (MEFSI) in Manica province, which enhanced food security at the household level in four target districts in Manica province. MEFSI built on the achievements of its predecessor, the Manica Oil Seed Food Security Initiative (MOFSI 1996 - 2001) that developed an innovative model for small scale sustainable oil seed production and processing in 80 villages. These programs increased production and marketing of food and cash crops through the provision of support services, promoted crop diversification,  increased marketing ability for farmers, promoted HIV/AIDS awareness, trained demonstrators and model families, and provided technical assistance to Associations. 

 

 Africare-Mozambique Today

Distribution of mosquito nets and water purifiers

Africare through a partnership with PSI Mozambique distributes mosquito nets and water purifiers to over 30 000 households in four districts in order to promote health status of communities and reduce cases of malaria and water borne diseases.

Promoting agricultural activities for caregivers

Through out the 4 districts of Manica province and also in Nampula, Africare assists communities in agriculture by training them in new methods  and supporting their initiatives in order to strengthen their production  and improve their household incomes. The project has worked with communities in raising livestock such as cattle, pigs and chicken as well as construction of water tanks to promote horticulture.

Increased access to educational opportunities for OVC

Africare has facilitated in the promotion of education for OVC by distributing school uniforms and school material kits to more than 36,000 OVC, causing the larger percentage of them to stay in school.

 

Country Profile: Mozambique

REGION: Southern Africa
CAPITAL CITY: Maputo
POPULATION: 20.5 million
LAND AREA: The size of Texas and Louisiana combined

In 1975, Mozambique emerged from a long independence struggle. Before it could rebuild, the young nation became a target of a regional destabilization war, instigated by pro-apartheid forces in neighboring South Africa. By the war's end in 1992, up to a million Mozambicans had died, the economy as well as much of the infrastructure had been ruined ― and even today, Mozambique bears the legacies of landmine amputees as well as unknown numbers of still-buried, still-active mines. Throughout the 1990s, the country carried out a wide range of basic development activities as well as macroeconomic reforms, which have led to dramatic improvements. In 2000 and 2001, however, severe floods affected a quarter of the population; and in 2002, many of the central and southern areas were struck by drought. Poverty remains widespread. Subsistence agriculture employs the vast majority of the people. Tragically, too, Mozambique has high HIV/AIDS prevalence rates: up to 20 percent in some parts of the country.

Country Stats Life expectancy: 37 years (USA: 77.9) Under-5 child mortality: 138/1,000 live births (USA: 7/1,000) National HIV & AIDS prevalence: 16% (USA: [0.4 - 1.0]%) Physicians per 100,000 people: 3 (USA: 256) People undernourished: 44% (USA: 0%) People with access to safe drinking water: 43% (USA: 100%) Adult literacy: 66% for men 33% for women (USA: 99%) Annual income, one way to look at it (GDP per capita, PPP US$): $1,242 (USA: $41,890) Annual income, another way to look at it (GDP per capita): $370 (USA: $41,890) People living on less than $1 a day: 36.2% (USA: 0%) (HIV prevalence statistics, UNAIDS. All other statistics, 2007/2008 Human Development Report, UNDP)

 

Updated, June 2010)