After being hit by Cyclone Idai and storm Kenneth, Mozambique and partners are now working to reestablish essential health services. With many clinics destroyed by high winds and flooding, Americares is working with UNFPA to meet priority health needs, especially for pregnant women. 

Americares is providing equipment and supplies for nine reproductive health tents established by UNFPA at damaged health facilities and nine women-friendly spaces at accommodation centers and relocation sites. Through this initiative, women and girls will receive optimal health services and support, such as awareness sessions on reproductive health and gender-based violence, empowerment and livelihood activities, and counseling.

After seeing the supplies, Sheila Roden, a Maternal and Child Health nurse at the Mutua Health Center,  said, “this is a great starting point for us. We were not able to work because of the lack of space and equipment; now we will be able to provide better services.”

UNFPA is also working with Americares to strengthen capacity for health providers. Sixteen Maternal and Child Health (MCH) nurses,  recruited by local IPPF member AMODEFA and the Provincial Directorate of Health, have completed pre-deployment training on the Minimum Initial Service Package for reproductive health in emergencies and reproductive health kits. They were also trained on how to manage pregnancy and delivery complications such as postpartum hemorrhage, infection prevention and control, and rape treatment. 

The collaboration between UNFPA and Americares, which started in Indonesia in 2018 during the earthquake and tsunami response supporting health and well-being, is now set to bring equally beneficial results to Mozambique.