What's New at UNICEF Mozambique: 5th edition

CHILD PROTECTION

Sweden, WFP and UNICEF join forces to support children in Palma, Cabo Delgado

The Government of Sweden, the World Food Programme (WFP), and UNICEF are launching a new joint programme to support children and young people in Cabo Delgado’s Palma district.

This three-year initiative will address the challenges children and youth face due to ongoing conflict, including violence, displacement, and limited access to education and social services. Many children and young people in the province are out of school, lacking foundational skills for employment, and experiencing heightened risks of early marriage and economic hardship, and the programme’s interventions will be critical to addressing these pressing issues.

To build resilience and long-term stability, the programme will strengthen government and community capacities to provide quality education and protection services. It will also prioritize skill development, youth leadership, and employment opportunities, with a particular focus on supporting girls, young mothers, and children affected by armed conflict.

EMERGENCY RELIEF AND RESPONSE

Adolescents and Youth Platform supports Cyclone Chido survivors

The Adolescents and Youth Participation Platform visited Metula and Chuibo in Pemba, Cabo Delgado, to discuss the challenges faced after Cyclone Chido. The cyclone, which struck on December 15, 2024, affected 453,971 people and damaged 70,000 homes.

Families highlighted urgent needs like school supplies, clothing, food, and building materials. Despite losing her belongings, 17-year-old Maiassa Floage remains hopeful about continuing her education and becoming a police officer.

EMERGENCY RELIEF AND RESPONSE

Emergency response training for implementing partners

With generous support from Canada, UNICEF is training implementing partners on emergency response to El Ni?o. The training equips participants with tools and strategies to plan, coordinate, and deliver nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene programmes during crises.

To enhance child protection during emergencies like Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi, UNICEF also conducted training sessions with partners in Nampula, focusing on improving support for children affected by disasters.

Humanitarian Situation Report: Jan - Dec 2024

In 2024, 1.1 million children under five were screened for malnutrition in Mozambique, with 31,556 receiving treatment for severe acute malnutrition. More information on UNICEF's Humanitarian Situation Report.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

Considerable rise in acute malnutrition prevalence in children under five

Acute malnutrition among children under five is rising in several districts of Manica, Zambézia, and Sofala. Urgent funding is required to reach 15,000 children at risk of losing access to life-saving treatment in 2025.

In response to the worsening crisis, we share key updates from UNICEF and WFP's nutrition humanitarian response to El Ni?o impacts in Mozambique:

• Malnutrition Trends: Acute malnutrition (GAM) prevalence has reached up to 15% in drought-affected provinces, with the highest increases in Namacura (12%), Murrumbala (10.6%), and Macossa (8.5%) districts.
• Severe Malnutrition (SAM): Admissions rose by 34% in 2024, reflecting a worsening crisis.

UNICEF and its partners are intensifying efforts to protect children’s health and request support to mobilize resources and advocacy to address these growing needs.

NUTRITION

Strengthening the National Food Fortification Programme?

UNICEF supports the Government of Mozambique (GoM) in strengthening the National Food Fortification Programme by enhancing monitoring systems, through the provision of training to 25 government officials from the Ministry of Economy, the National Lab, INAE, Municipalities of Maputo and Matola.

In the last 13 years, Mozambique has seen some progress in the reduction of chronic malnutrition/ stunting, from 43% in 2011 to 37% in 2022. Although this decline is far from the 30% GoM target by 2030, it can be achieved with the acceleration and scaling-up of implementation of high impact interventions in different sectors.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

Mobile brigades reach remote and drought-affected regions

With generous support from Canada, from July to September 2024, UNICEF deployed 460 Integrated Mobile Brigades to deliver essential health and nutrition services to drought-affected communities in six districts of Sofala.

Through these brigades, 5,711 children were fully immunized, 10,636 received deworming tablets, and 17,242 received Vitamin A supplementation, improving health outcomes in remote regions of Mozambique.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Factsheet: Jan - Dec 2024

In 2024, 151,588 people received access to improved, durable, and resilient water supply services, 87 per cent of them in rural areas. More information on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Factsheet.

EDUCATION

Resilient classrooms bring hope to students in Namahaca, Memba

With the generous support of the Government of Norway, four new resilient classrooms were inaugurated at Namahaca Primary School in Memba. These classrooms benefit more than 800 students in the community, providing hope to parents who no longer need to worry about their children dropping out due to long travel distances.

For Delfina Luis Omar, a 19-year-old student, these new classrooms mean she will no longer have to walk 10 km to continue her education. Delfina expressed her gratitude: “I am very happy with the new classrooms. They have desks, doors, and windows, and this will help us a lot with our concentration during lessons. Since I started studying here in 3rd grade, this is the first time we’ve had such nice classrooms.”

In addition to the classrooms in Namahaca, ten more classrooms and sanitation blocks were built at Chipene and Lúrio primary schools, benefiting around 2,000 students from grades one to nine.

EDUCATION

School Readiness Programme is transforming early education in Chiúre, Cabo Delgado

With the generous support of the German Development Bank (KFW), a School Readiness Programme is transforming early education in Chiúre, Cabo Delgado, boosting both enrollment rates and the quality of preparation for primary school.

Six-year-old Amina Felizardo is one of 317 children benefiting from this initiative, a partnership between UNICEF and the District Education Services. Over the past two months, Amina has been thriving in her school preparation classes, where she enjoys learning vowels and counting numbers -skills that have even enhanced her playtime with her older siblings.

EDUCATION

Climate-related school disruptions affecting 242 Million students Worldwide in 2024

The report Learning Interrupted: Global Snapshot of Climate-Related School Disruptions in 2024 reveals the alarming impact of climate-related risks on education. It highlights how extreme weather events have led to school closures or significantly disrupted school schedules, affecting children from pre-primary to secondary education. In 2024, at least 242 million students across 85 countries were affected, with Mozambique, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Philippines among the hardest hit.

Prolonged school closures, especially in fragile contexts, increase the likelihood that students will not return to the classroom. This puts them at greater risk of child marriage and child labor, further exacerbating the long-term challenges they face.

Staff story: Lucinda Manjama

"In the heart of Mozambique, the provinces of Sofala and Manica face the harsh realities of recurring natural disasters that hinder progress and threaten lives, particularly among children. As part of the UNICEF team, I have had the privilege of working on the frontlines, addressing these challenges directly.

Since July 2024, my focus has been on mitigating the devastating effects of drought in Sofala Province. Through coordinated efforts, we launched over 460 Integrated Mobile Brigades, reaching 29,409 children. These brigades serve as a lifeline, providing essential healthcare, including vaccinations, supplementations with micronutrients and vitamin A, deworming, weight monitoring, and specialized treatment for malnutrition.

In this critical role, I trained health professionals to identify and treat acute malnutrition and related nutrient deficiencies. This work has allowed us to support 674 children, 447 with moderate malnutrition and 227 with severe cases begin their recovery journey.

This experience has been incredibly rewarding. By detecting malnutrition early, we’re not only saving lives but also preventing long-term health complications. I remain dedicated to continuing this essential work and strengthening Mozambique’s capacity to respond to crises effectively."

Lucinda Manjama, Health and Nutrition Specialist

Our work #ForEveryChild in Mozambique relies on support from our valued partners.

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