Basic services and disaster prevention in Mozambique

Solidar Suisse in Mozambique

Since 1984, Solidar Suisse has had a presence in central Mozambique through development cooperation projects. We ensure that people can make their voice heard in their communities and provide for the development of better public infrastructure such as a functioning water supply. We also provide emergency health and reconstruction assistance in the event of disasters.

Extreme poverty and climate change

The majority of the 30 million inhabitants in Mozambique live off small-scale subsistence farming. Mozambique has one of the highest poverty rates in the world and ranks 181 out of 189 on the UN’s Human Development Index.

Mozambique is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the impacts of global warming. The flooding, cyclones and droughts that have struck Mozambique regularly over the past 30 years risk becoming more intensive, prolonged and increasingly devastating. The country has barely had one year without a disaster and this has had negative consequences for the population. It has caused the destruction of housing, schools, healthcare facilities, streets and economic infrastructure and has washed out water wells, destroyed harvests and left people hungry yet with no access to seeds. The state cannot provide appropriate support to victims of disasters and there is a need for investment in education and healthcare. People must participate in developmental gains and the widespread poverty and high levels of inequality must be combatted.

  • Life expectancy: 60 years Average life expectancy in Switzerland: 83,6 years
  • Literacy rate: 55% Literacy rate among adults in Switzerland: 99,9 %
  • Gini-Index: 54 The Gini-Index measures the degree of income inequality: The higher the number, the more inequality. Switzerland: 32,7
Junge Frauen beim Wasserholen in einem Nothilfe-Camp in Moçambique. Junge Frauen beim Wasserholen in einem Nothilfe-Camp in Moçambique.

Water supply for victims of cyclone Idai. © Solidar Suisse

Basic services and transparency

Solidar Suisse promotes democratic participation and transparency, supports the development of functioning basic services and builds resilience in the event of disasters.

We support the district authorities in developing and training local disaster prevention committees, which include representatives of village inhabitants. The committees work to raise awareness among the population of the risks and consequences of disasters and inform people of the most important emergency assistance measures. The committees also set up early warning systems and run emergency practice drills. Together with these committees, Solidar Suisse lays the foundations for the improvement of the water supply, education and healthcare. We strengthen people’s participation in public debate so that public funds are invested in the places where they are most urgently needed.

This project is supported by the FGC.

«Unfortunately, in Mozambique poverty remains the main risk to most people. Together with our partners on the ground, we work to mitigate this risk.»

Beat von Däniken Regional coordinator for Solidar Suisse

Projects in Mozambique

Water supply

Since 2011, Solidar Suisse has been supporting the construction and reparation of wells in Mozambique. Clean drinking water and better hygiene are essential factors for health and a better life.

Read more

Emergency assistance and disaster prevention

In 2019, Cyclone Idai swept across Mozambique and wrought significant destruction. We support the construction of wells and water supply systems and strengthen the population’s resilience in areas impacted by the storm.

Read more

Help people in Mozambique

With your donation we can provide for functioning basic services and participatory public debate.

Your donation

Back to top