Mozambique

On 15 March, Cyclone Idai hit Beira in Sofala province, affecting some 1.85 million people. Homes, health facilities and other infrastructure were destroyed by the cyclone and subsequent flooding and more than 400,000 people were displaced. We deployed emergency teams to support the response and, 10 days later, a cholera outbreak was declared. As well as managing 57 percent of cholera patients, we supported the Ministry of Health to vaccinate 900,000 people against the disease, set up two water treatment plants, rehabilitated 18 health centres and distributed relief items, such as soap, mosquito nets, cooking utensils, blankets, mats and buckets. In total, we conducted nearly 11,900 outpatient consultations, primarily for malnutrition and malaria, in 25 locations.

Six weeks later, when Cyclone Kenneth made landfall in Cabo Delgado province, we built cholera treatment centres in Pemba, Mecufi and Metuge, carried out water and sanitation activities and conducted general health consultations. The catastrophic impact of two cyclones in such a short space of time was compounded by months of drought later in the year. Together they exacerbated the already serious food insecurity and malnutrition situation in the country.

In the capital, Maputo, we are implementing specialized care and support packages for patients with advanced HIV who are facing the challenge of staying on lifelong treatment or have developed drug resistance. This includes improving the detection and rapid treatment of opportunistic infections.

In Mafalala slum, we work with a local organization to run a drop-in centre for people who use drugs, where testing and treatment for HIV, TB, and hepatitis C are available. It is the only program in Mozambique offering comprehensive harm reduction services, including needle and syringe distribution.  

In Beira, MSF runs mobile clinics providing sexual and reproductive healthcare, including HIV testing, counselling and family planning to vulnerable groups such as sex workers, who are at high risk of HIV infection. In 2019, we started offering advanced HIV care at Beira central hospital.

In Cabo Delgado, access to healthcare is extremely limited due to violence and insecurity. In 2019, we started supporting a health centre in Macomia, with treatment for malaria, malnutrition, and respiratory diseases. We also rehabilitated the centre, which was severely damaged by Cyclone Kenneth, ran training on maternal health, pediatrics, and sexual and reproductive healthcare for the Ministry of Health staff, and upgraded the water supply system.

No. staff in 2019: 446 | Expenditure in 2019: €19.8 million Year MSF first worked in the country: 1984