Section 1: Overview

Introduce your country and Mozambique is a country located in the southeastern coast of Africa, and it stands as a current statement to the
some of its major challenges. devastating consequences of climate change. This nation, being heavily reliant on agriculture and prone to multiple
Introduce the problem you catastrophic natural disasters, finds itself in a critical climate crisis that must be solved immediately. We have the duty to
will focus on. Describe it find a solution for this problem and evaluate to what extent these tragedies in Mozambique affect the economic
briefly. development and quality of life. The GDP/GNI per capita of Mozambique is $560 as of 2022, very reliant on agriculture
which accounts for about 25% of GDP and employs about 70% of the workforce. The country's import/export ratio is
1.3, showing that it imports more than it exports, it has high government debt levels, with a debt to GDP of 101% and a
high inflation rate of 4.75. Access to education is very limited, the enrollment rate in primary school is 105% but it
decreases to 38% in secondary, which can be detrimental for the economic future of the country, not to mention that
climate conditions further complicate children to attend school. When it comes to healthcare, public hospitals are often
overcrowded and understaffed, hard to get to in extreme weather conditions because of the poor transport
infrastructure. Lastly, the country has a history of political instability, but it has been relatively stable since the end of the
civil war in 1992, however, corruption and political instability continue to create challenges for good governance.

What is your Research Even though the overall multifaceted issues situation in Mozambique is not ideal, the main concern is the tragic disasters
Question? What is this affecting the quality of life and further damaging the economy. This proposal will first discuss the implications of such
proposal about? What is the disasters followed by a planned approach to mitigate their negative impact on Mozambique's development as a country.
structure of the proposal?

Section 2: The Problem

What is the problem? Between the year 2000 and 2012 the Desinventar database recorded 1,315 extreme weather events, including 741 droughts,
437 floods and 137 cyclones, affecting about 122,000 inhabitants and causing U$440 million in damages per year, according to
the preliminary results of the Financial Protection against Disasters in Mozambique assessment by the World Bank. Apart from
the detrimental economic losses caused annually by these conditions, in 2000, Mozambique was hit by the worst flood in 50
years, killing 800 Mozambicans and causing losses of about U$419 million. “The World Bank also reported that Mozambique is
at increasing risk from storm surges… due to climate change and estimates that 41% of the country's coastal area and 52% of
coastal GDP is vulnerable.” (Haiti and Mozambique most vulnerable to economic losses from natural disasters, 2010)

What are the impacts Approximately 67% of Mozambicans live in rural areas, making them much more vulnerable to the repercussions of these
of this problem? What disasters, since these areas lack the proper equipment for sustaining the damage of the events, posing threats both for
could happen if nothing Mozambicans and the agricultural crops they rely on as a source of income. 95% of food production is rain-fed, with the
is done to manage the astronomical amount of droughts and considering the fact that agriculture accounts for 25% of the country’s GDP, we can
problem? assume that the economy is only going downhill if we don't take measures to reduce the impact of these disasters. “The
average annual damages caused by droughts in the agriculture sector are estimated at U$20 million.” (Financial Protection
against Disasters in Mozambique, 2018)

Furthermore, the quality of life in Mozambique also finds itself at risk because of these circumstances; after heavy rains and
cyclones took place in 2001, more than 1 million Mozambicans found themselves directly affected, “water and sanitation
services were disrupted, causing outbreaks of dysentery and cholera.” (Sanderson, David, 2001) “From 1 October until 3 April
(2023), natural disasters have also injured 807 people and partially or totally destroyed 222,088 homes and flooded 80,560
others. The bad weather also affected 1,043 schools, 1,198,261 pupils and 14,765 teachers, according to INGD. The 2022/2023
rainy season was also marked by the passage of Cyclone Freddy, which caused the death of at least 169 people and affected
more than 200,000 families.” (Mozambique: Natural disasters have killed 300 this rainy season, 2023) The collective aftermath
significantly compromises the ability of Mozambicans to lead comfortable lives under a safe roof, as widespread destruction
prevents them. It obstructs children from attending school therefore getting proper education, putting at risk the future
 economic development of Mozambique, considering that the vast majority of Mozambicans are young, thus the future of the
country. The physical damage caused by these events is much more than it should be, due to the poor transport infrastructure,
which restricts the ability to respond effectively in emergent situations. “In this capacity, the current crumbling transport
routes, unreliable electricity grids, and dilapidated buildings not only add to the population's vulnerability, but also delay crucial
aid for those affected by disasters.” (IMF, 2016)

From all of this, we can infer that these natural disasters not only affect the broader economy but also play a role in
perpetuating individual poverty and raising overall poverty levels in Mozambique. Whenever a family works to get themselves
out of poverty through hard work, a natural disaster strikes, erasing their progress and compelling them to start again, resulting
in numerous setbacks. This creates a cycle of poverty that becomes challenging to break, particularly when these disasters
occur in conditions lacking effective preparation.

What are the root Initiating from the roots of the issue, climate change and geographic location. Mozambique is already vulnerable to natural
causes of this problem? disasters due to its geographic location, having more than 2,700km of coastline, meaning being exposed to the fury of cyclones.
This is further exacerbated by climate change that has led to warmer ocean temperatures, providing the energy needed for
cyclones to be formed, therefore causing them to be more intense and severe, causing torrential rains and destructive winds.
These climate alterations of higher temperatures also cause reduced rainfall and increased evaporations, causing a vast amount
of droughts, detrimental for agriculture. On the other hand, climate change can also contribute to extreme rainfalls, which
along with the melting of glaciers because of the high temperatures, cause rising water levels in rivers and lakes, giving a way for
floods to inundate low-lying areas in Mozambique. (Acevedo, Sebastian, 2017)

What has already been The United States Government played a vital role in responding to the 2016/2014 drought in Mozambique. USAID Food for
done about this Peace, Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief jointly contributed
problem? Is it working $45,866,814. FFP provided $28,441,295 in in-kind commodities, OFDA contributed $10,996,221, and PEPFAR added
or not working? How $6,429,298. This assistance included food distribution, livelihood, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene support to
 do you know? Why is mitigate the drought's impact. These projects contribute to sustainable agricultural production by supporting better seeds,
it still a problem? farmer-to-market links, and climate-smart management practices, laying the groundwork for Mozambique's economic stability
and progress. The commitment to policy change and the development of supply chains increases the enabling environment for
long-term progress. (USAID, 2016)

Section 3: The Solution

Describe your The installation of climate-resilient infrastructure and an enhanced early warning system is the way to increasing resilience in
solution. How does it Mozambique, particularly in the face of destructive storms like Cyclone Idai. UN-Habitat has been crucial in making schools and
work to manage the classrooms climate-resilient by working with the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management (INGD) and the Ministry of
problem? Education and Human Development. This effort attempts to protect communities against extreme weather occurrences by
offering technological help. The cyclone-proof housing model's performance, which has been duplicated locally in Vilankulo
Municipality, proves the scalability and usefulness of such resilience-building activities. I propose that we keep implementing
these measures and further constructing more climate-resilient infrastructures.

What does the To manage the problem effectively, the government needs to invest in the widespread implementation of climate-resilient
Government need to infrastructure. This includes not only schools but also housing, administration buildings, and health centers, as exemplified by
do? Who else has to the Vilankulo Municipality. The collaboration with organizations like UN-Habitat and support from institutions like the World
be involved? What do Bank are crucial for funding and technical expertise. The early warning system, comprising the National Meteorology Institute
they need to do? and the Institute of Social Communication, plays a vital role in managing the impact of extreme weather events. The
government should ensure the continued funding, maintenance, and expansion of this system. Collaboration with community
radios and the training of community brigades are essential elements to ensure that alerts reach at-risk communities promptly.

What effects do you This solution's intended impacts are extensive. For starters, it intends to reduce casualties and improve community safety by
hope your solution will issuing timely warnings and aiding early evacuations. The success of this method may be seen in the example of Cyclone Freddy,
result in? You could when the alarm system decreased the number of deaths dramatically. Furthermore, resilient infrastructure helps to reduce the
 also describe side damage of key assets such as schools, roadways, and health care facilities, therefore limiting the economic consequences on a
effects too. larger scale. The approach also encourages community empowerment and disaster preparedness, promoting adaptability and
independence.

What evidence do you The evidence supporting the efficacy of this approach lies in the successful outcomes during Cyclone Freddy and the replication
have to support this of resilient housing models. Similar approaches have been successful in developed countries where early warning systems,
outcome? resilient infrastructure, and community engagement are integral parts of disaster management strategies. “In Inhambane, hardly
hit by the cyclone in its first round, 13 cyclone-proof houses built in 2011 with the technical assistance of UN-Habitat and the
financial support of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), served as emergency shelter for 300 people.”
(UNHabitat, 2023) By using these proven approaches, Mozambique can continue building its resilience to extreme weather
events and minimize the devastating impacts on its people and infrastructure.

Section 4: Conclusion

Restate the problem In conclusion, Mozambique faces significant climate disasters, impacting agriculture, economy, and citizens' well-being. Frequent
and its impacts. floods, droughts, and cyclones increase vulnerability.

Summarize the My proposed strategy involves climate-resilient infrastructure and an advanced early warning system. Successful models like
proposed solution. UN-Habitat's resilient schools inform recommendations for implementation.

Summarize the Anticipated impacts include reduced casualties, safeguarded assets, empowered communities, and breaking the poverty cycle
outcome of the through resilient infrastructure and early warnings. Thank you for listening.
solution.
Section 5: Bibliography

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● "Natural Disasters Cost Mozambique 1.3% of Its GDP over the Past 20 Years." CGTN, 20 May 2023,
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● "Building Mozambique: A Brochure on the Engagement of the World Bank in Mozambique." Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery
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● "Mozambique: Climate-Resilient Infrastructures Save Lives and Reduce Impact of Natural Disasters." ReliefWeb,
https://reliefweb.int/report/mozambique/mozambique-climate-resilient-infrastructures-save-lives-and-reduce-impact-natural-disasters.
● "Early Warning System Saves Lives in AFE Mozambique." World Bank, 11 Sep. 2023,
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● USAID. "Mozambique: Disaster Response." USAID, 2016, www.usaid.gov/mozambique/fact-sheet/disaster-response.
● "Mozambique: Natural Disasters Have Killed 300 This Rainy Season." Club of Mozambique,
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0also%20affected,affected%20more%20than%20200%2C000%20families.
● International Monetary Fund. "Financial Protection against Disasters in Mozambique." IMF eLibrary,
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● International Monetary Fund. "Climate Change Will Bring More Frequent Natural Disasters, Weigh on Economic Growth." IMF, 2016,
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