FOCUS
Promoting Health and Fighting Disease
MDGs ADDRESSED
MDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
MDG 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
MDG 7: Ensure environment sustainability
MDG 8: Create a global partnership for development
OVERVIEW
Shortly after gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, Mozambique became embroiled in a 15-year civil war that claimed over one million lives. An estimated 9,000-12,000 people are amputees as a result of the practice of using landmines during the war. Today, Mozambique is one of the least economically developed countries in the world, ranking 171st among 175 nations on the human development index.
Mozambique is one of the top ten of countries most adversely affected by malaria. Since access to health care is extremely limited, the most vulnerable such as pregnant women and children suffer from severe cases of malaria and are most at risk of dying due to lack of adequate treatment. Additionally, the country faces a severe HIV/AIDS epidemic, with 15% of the adult population testing positive for HIV. An estimated 500 new infections are diagnosed every day.
Our PARTNER
Episcopal Relief and Development’s partner in Mozambique is the Diocese of Lebombo, which is part of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa (CPSA). The diocese is situated in the southern half of the country of Mozambique. Hope Africa, the social development department of the CPSA, is providing technical support and training to the Diocese of Lebombo to build its capacity to implement the malaria prevention program.
Our CURRENT PROGRAMS
Episcopal Relief and Development is protecting the most vulnerable—pregnant women and young children—from contracting malaria, an easily preventable disease. In some areas of Mozambique as many as 90% of children under five years old are infected with malaria, and approximately 70% of pregnant women suffer from malaria-related anemia.
Episcopal Relief and Development and the diocese are focusing efforts in rural areas surrounding the capital of Maputo, as well as the coastal city of Xai-Xai. Large numbers of people have migrated to these cities due to the combined factors of war and drought.
Promoting Health and Fighting Disease
Episcopal Relief and Development is teaching and equipping individuals to prevent malaria and HIV/AIDS in their communities.
- Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, along with training in the proper use of nets, ensure that the most vulnerable are protected from the Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit malaria.
- Trained malaria “agents” and volunteers instruct community members in malaria prevention and treatment methods.
- HIV/AIDS awareness workshops train clergy and community leaders to teach prevention methods in their communities and provide counseling to those affected by AIDS.
Our PAST ACHIEVEMENTS
The NetsforLifeSM malaria prevention partnership distributed 59,500 long-lasting insecticide-treated nets in Mozambique in 2006 and 2007. A total of 59,830 people were sensitized about malaria prevention, and 598 individuals were trained as malaria agents. This brings the total number of people protected to 119,330.
