Preventing Cholera in Coastal Mozambique

 

 

Mozambique is one of the most climatically vulnerable countries in Southern Africa and frequently suffers from natural disasters ranging from floods to cyclones to drought. With over 50 percent of the population living below the poverty line, such shocks have dramatic consequences on people’s lives. In January 2012, for example, heavy rainfall and strong winds caused by two tropical storms left 21 people dead and an estimated 65,000 homeless. Survivors are vulnerable to waterborne illness caused by poor sanitation and hygiene practices, and an unsafe water supply.

With funding from UNICEF, IRD is ensuring that tropical storm victims have access to clean water and sanitation facilities. The activity to rehabilitate water supply points and promote household hygiene and sanitation facilities is targeting at least 3,500 households and 17,500 people in Zambezia, one of the country’s hardest hit provinces.

IRD is working in resettlement neighborhoods in Namacurra and Gurue districts to prevent the spread of cholera and other diseases through chlorination of main water supply points, distribution of Certeza, and awareness-raising health and hygiene campaigns. The activities were developed in consultation with the community leaders, the Government of Mozambique, and nongovernmental organizations that support the country’s development initiatives.

Operating under the UNICEF WASH cluster, IRD is partnering with cluster members, municipalities, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the National Directorate of Water, the Ministry of Health, and the National Institute of Disaster Management.

The UNICEF Cholera project is implemented by IRD in partnership with members of the UNICEF WASH cluster. It is scheduled to run from February through July 2012.