Maputo/Beira -- The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) carried out a mission to Sofala Province from 7 to 9 December, led by the EU Head of Cooperation in Mozambique, Ms. Isabel Faria de Almeida, and the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Narjess Saidane. The mission aimed to evaluate and monitor post-cyclone recovery activities implemented under the Mozambique Recovery Facility (MRF) programme, a multi-donor mechanism to which the EU supports financially with 34.3 million Euros, approximately 2.9 billion Meticais.

At the end of the mission, EU Head of Cooperation, Ms. Almeida, reaffirmed “EU’s undisputable commitment with the 2019 Cyclones recovery efforts and the adoption of a “Building Back Better” approach for the sake of the resilience of the people of Sofala province and also communities living in other cyclones affected areas”.

On the other hand, UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Saidane, explained that “UNDP created the Mozambique Recovery Facility programme just after the devastating cyclones of 2019 with the objective of accelerating resilient recovery of affected populations. These families are also facing challenges imposed by COVID-19 and the increased insecurity both in the Central and Northern Region. This mission to visit recovery projects is to ensure that the self-sustained assistance is reaching those most in need to withstand the multiple shocks, in a time when cooperation for development, such as this one between UNDP and the European Union, has become even more necessary”.

At the three-day mission, EU and UNDP representatives along with the Governor of Sofala, District Administrators, Director of the Reconstruction Cabinet Post Cyclones (GREPOC) of Mozambican government, led symbolic ceremonies laying the first stone for the construction of two rural markets, one school, 200 housing constructions and the launch of a housing rehabilitation project. The mission delegation has also witnessed the course of livelihood and income generation activities supported through the MRF in vulnerable communities, which included small grocery businesses, improved agriculture production systems, cash-for-work groups, community based disaster risk reduction and preparedness interventions and Village Savings and Loan Associations.

Besides the EU, other funding partners of MRF are Canada, China, Finland, India, Netherlands and Norway, totalling US$ 72.2 million or over 6 billion Meticais.

Background Information

The EU-UNDP agreement is part of joint efforts to fast-track post-cyclone recovery and to building resilience against future disasters in Mozambique. Actions under the project address the underlying vulnerabilities of the cyclone-affected communities, with focus on three pillars:

(1) Livelihood recovery and women’s economic empowerment;

(2) Resilient housing and community infrastructure;

(3) Institutional strengthening of the Reconstruction Cabinet (GREPOC).

The Recovery Facility implementation strategy is designed to fast-track response to any crisis situation and to help transition from an emergency response to a sustainable development path. Concerning livelihood recovery and women’s economic empowerment, MRF focuses on a people-centred solutions and people-led actions to ensure resilience and sustainability. As such, the MRF offers skills, resources and local expertise to support the people affected by the crisis, especially women and vulnerable groups, to become financially independent and thus be able to contribute to local economic recovery.

On the component of resilient housing and community infrastructure, infrastructures such as schools, clinics, markets and houses in the affected areas are rehabilitated and reconstructed following Build Back Better (BBB) standards, with the active engagement of the beneficiary communities. The MRF also ensures institutional strengthening of the Reconstruction Cabinet through technical and operational support in developing policies for an effective coordinating of the national post-cyclone recovery plan.

MRF actions are managed by UNDP in coordination with GREPOC and in partnership with local non-governmental organizations and targeted communities. The EU and UNDP are long-standing partners, working in close partnership with the government of Mozambique. This partnership through Mozambique Recovery Facility has already enabled the country to concretely advance with its ambitious reconstruction agenda in 2020 as follows:

• 265,715 people have access to socio-economic community infrastructures rehabilitated through cash-for-work activities.
• 39,790 temporary jobs were created for the most vulnerable affected families (50.1% female-headed households) through the labor-intensive rehabilitation of priority community infrastructure, productive assets and waste management.
• 10,444 people (6,169 women) received technical skills trainings and start-up kits to increase their capacity and support self-employment.
• 5,213 households (3,817 female-headed) are organised into Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA) to ensure the sustainability and diversification of their new business.
• 17,172 handwashing stations were established.
• 12,949 heads of households were trained in new skills and small businesses.
• 135,903 tonnes of solid waste in different communities were collected.
• 8,423.5 m3 of drainage canals were cleaned.
• 761.78 km of access roads were cleaned.
• 5,000 local masons and artisans have obtained temporary employment and training on resilient construction techniques.
• 600 houses and five public buildings – critical infrastructures for provision of social services – are under rehabilitation (Beira and Dondo).
• 480 houses, five markets and eight schools are being constructed – at least 8,898 students and teachers will benefit.

For more information please contact:

European Union
Sonia Muchate, Press and Information Officer: Sonia.ARAO-MUCHATE@eeas.europa.eu
Delegation of the European Union, Av Julius Nyerere n.2820, Tel: 21 481000 – Maputo

UNDP
Brenda Hada, Communications Officer: brenda.hada@undp.org; +258 87 997 0755
UNDP Field Office – Beira