The United Nations and the Government of Mozambique have signed an agreement to initiate the “Recovery Mechanism Project”. The project will last five years, between 2019 and 2024, and will be implemented with an investment of US $ 72 million. The initiative will be implemented with the help of a recovery agency formed to accelerate the country’s resilient reconstruction following the damage caused by cyclones Idai and Kenneth this year.
“This Recovery Mechanism has three main pillars, which are the institutional strengthening of the Post Cyclone Idai Reconstruction Office, housing and community infrastructure and women’s livelihoods and economic empowerment, and will pay particular attention to women and vulnerable groups.” stated the interim representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Alfredo Teixeira.
About 285,000 homes were destroyed after two heavy tropical storms hit the country in the same season. Cyclone Idai passed through the central provinces of the country in March, causing at least 604 deaths and affecting approximately 1.8 million people. In April, the other cyclone, Kenneth, left 45 dead and affected 250,000 people in the north. It was the first time since record that two strong tropical cyclones hit Mozambique in the same season.
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International Support
Doadores internacionais prometeram contribuir com US$ 1,3 bilhão dos US $ 3,2 bilhões pedidos pelo governo moçambicano para a reconstrução das áreas afetadas. Em março o Brasil contribuiu com 100 mil euros por meio de fundo solidário criado no âmbito da Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa (CPLP), além de enviar agentes da força nacional para o país. Em abril o Fundo Monetário Internacional (FMI) aprovou financiamento emergencial de US$ 118,2 milhões.
Resiliency
“We immediately want to create conditions so that affected populations can quickly recover. Because everything else will only be possible with human strength in a position to do so. So by talking about infrastructure without looking at the social component we would be putting the cart before the horse. So we want to bet on a first step in restoring human tissue.” said João Machatine.
The UNDP representative reiterated that this agreement is only the beginning of this process. Taking into account that Mozambique and its people need and demand an action agenda to implement the program, and concrete results, for the country’s recovery and sustainable development.