Mozambique

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In Mozambique, Handicap International works in 5 provinces, and focuses on 5 main sectors: health, social welfare, education, support for local associations and mine clearance.

CONTEXT
Mozambique has been in the process of political, economic and administrative reform since 1992, when peace agreements put an end to 25 years of war. Local authorities are now being asked to institute new changes, to create local development policies that incorporate the unique cultural, social, economic and environmental aspects of each region and give the citizens a voice.

Mozambique has a UN Human Development Index of 170 out of 177 countries.

BACKGROUND
Our involvement in Mozambique began as an emergency intervention in 1986, when civil war had left the country without infrastructure, services or governance. Since then Mozambique’s reconstruction has been sustained by bilateral assistance, aid organizations and foreign donations. In recent years, Handicap International has expanded its programmes in the central region provinces of Sofala, Manica and Tete, and in Inhambane and Maputo provinces in the south.

STRATEGY
Our work comes within the general framework of Mozambique’s poverty reduction strategy, whose aim is a 20% reduction in the number of people living below the poverty line. Each project also conforms to the sectoral policies laid out by the Government.

ACTIVITIES

1) Health
a) Section of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (SMFR)
- Reorganise some of the orthopaedic centres into repair centers (in Vilanculos).
- Strengthen the training, logistical, and coordination processes carried out by the SMFR department within the Ministry of Health.

b) Fight against AIDS
Amplify and extend the pilot project developed in Sofala province to two new provinces, Manica and Tete.

2) Social welfare
We support the Ministry for Women and the Coordination of Social Action in pursuit of 3 major objectives for improving delivery of services to users:

• staff capacity building in financial management, support practices, and supervision of social service departments
• improved conditions for social service users: orphanages, retirement homes, and transit centres that provide people with disabilities access to rehabilitation and prosthetic repair services
• a programme within the Ministry to support the disclosure and implementation of policies protecting the rights of the disabled

3) Non-formal education
Opening of a functional education centre. The centre will provide young and disabled people having neither training nor formal education with the training they need for better social integration.
 
4) Support for disability organizations
We concentrate on strengthening our ties with organizations of or for people with disabilities. Support efforts initially focus on the Central region (Sofala), and then expand to FAMOD (Forum of Mozambican Associations of Disabled Persons).

5) Landmines
Mozambique’s mine clearance needs are set out in the 5-Year National Mine Action Plan (2002-2006). Our activities aim to reduce landmine injuries and lessen the socioeconomic impact of landmine-related risks on rural populations. We are currently targeting three provinces: Inhambane, Manica and Sofala. After each cleanup operation, infrastructure and land will be restored in a way that promotes social and economic development for the community.

BENEFICIARIES
Our programme in Mozambique aims to help everyone, with special emphasis on preventing disability, supporting disabled people, and ensuring them the treatment and rights they deserve.

RESOURCES
Our team is made up of 6 international staff and 135 national staff.

CONTACTS
E-mail: himozdir@tvcabo.co.mz