Highlights
UNICEF’s drought response focuses on WASH and Nutrition aimed at complementing the Government and HCT-supported interventions.
UNICEF has screened 26,096 children for acute malnutrition through UNICEF supported health and nutrition mobile brigades in August.
UNICEF supported the treatment of 489 new cases of children with SAM in August.
UNICEF trained and supported 31 health and nutrition mobile brigades which continue community outreach through nutrition screening, assessments and referrals.
UNICEF continues to reach over 13,200 people with safe water through water trucking in Magude district.
UNICEF is participating in the IOM-led IDP assessment mission to Barué and Mussurize districts in Manica.
UNICEF’s Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) appeal for 2016 is only 31 per cent funded.
SITUATION IN NUMBERS
850,000 Children affected by drought
1,500,000 People food insecure (IPC Phase 3 & 4) (SETSAN March 2016)
243,960 People to be reached by UNICEF WASH and Nutrition Interventions
67,920 Children to be reached by UNICEF WASH and Nutrition Interventions
UNICEF HAC Appeal 2016
US$ 8.8 million
Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
The El Niño drought continues to affect families across Mozambique with greatest impact felt in the central and southern regions of the country. The third SETSAN’s food security and nutritional assessment conducted between July and August is due to be released in September. The assessment will also guide on-going drought response interventions, including adjustments to the current response strategy in anticipation to La Niña implications. The assessment will further provide the basis for the analysis of the current food insecurity and nutrition crisis by providing information on the impact of ongoing humanitarian interventions, particularly on food security and nutrition.
In addition, the government’s decision on whether or not to further extend the Red Alert also rests on the release of the assessment. UNICEF has provided substantive technical and financial support to the assessment, which measured the nutritional status of children in the 6 most drought affected provinces. The 20th seasonal forecast from Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF) confirms a stronger possibility for El Niño transition into La Niña with the SADC region likely to receive above normal rainfall for the most of the October, November and December (OND) and the January to March periods (JFM). Although the official seasonal forecast from the government’s national meteorological body (INAM) is yet to be released, early projections anticipate 50 percent in the forecast for La Niña probability based on ENSO forecast. La Niña implications in Mozambique may result in floods in the south and central provinces and an active cyclone season. Political and military tensions continue throughout the country with reports of increased displacement of populations, including children, and intensified attacks on health centers and government buildings particularly in the central provinces of Tete, Manica and Zambezia.