Maputo, 26 Jun (AIM) – The World Health Organization (WHO), through the Health Cluster, needs 21.5 million US dollars to support about 539,000 people affected by floods in southern and central Mozambique.
According to a Health Cluster report, Mozambique continues to face a complex humanitarian crisis characterized by the overlapping impacts of climate shocks and armed conflict, which significantly affect the health and well-being of vulnerable populations,
The report explains that the floods in the country’s central and southern provinces caused population displacement, damage to health infrastructure, and an increased risk of waterborne disease outbreaks, disrupting the continuity of essential health services.
“The health cluster estimates that approximately 619,627 people affected by extreme weather events in Mozambique require assistance. Humanitarian response plan for the floods has been launched, aiming to support nearly 539,000 people with funding of around 21.5 million dollars”, reads the document.
According to the report, Health Cluster intends to reach, by the end of the year, a total of 538,725 beneficiaries, out of 619,627 people in need across 18 districts of the southern province of Gaza, central province of Sofala, as well as Maputo city and province.
In addition to the climate crisis, “Mozambique is simultaneously facing armed insecurity in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. This situation continues to cause displacement and place additional strain on already fragile health systems.”
“In this context, Health Cluster partners have maintained a coordinated response to ensure the delivery of essential health services, focusing on integrated approaches such as mobile clinics, outbreak response, sexual and reproductive health services, and water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions”, reads the document.
According to the latest update of the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD), the death toll from the current rainy season in Mozambique has risen to 289, with over a million people affected since October.
The January floods alone resulted in at least 43 deaths, 147 injuries, and nine people missing, affecting a total of 715,716 people. Meanwhile, the passage of Cyclone Gezani through Inhambane on February 13 and 14 caused four more deaths and affected 9,040 people.
Am/
