Page 17 - Mozambique Report

Most people live in the coastal regions – where floods, cyclones, erosion and sea level rise pose
serious risks – increasing their vulnerability to these events. The population is growing fast at an
annual rate of 2.5 per cent driving pressures on natural resources. Infrastructure development is
also low with only 6 per cent of highways paved. This slows down response and mobility in case of
emergencies (MOF, 2018). Country Profile

The densely populated coastal lowlands will be increasingly affected by severe erosion, saltwater
intrusion, loss of vital infrastructure and the spread of diseases such as malaria, cholera, and influenza. The Republic of Mozambique
Changing rainfall patterns will lead to a decrease of soil water recharge, impacting ground water
resources and the water table in wells. Reduction of Mozambique’s trans-boundary river flows will
decrease the availability of surface water.

Disporportionate Impacts on women and girls
There is a gender bias to the impacts of climate change. Women and girls are responsible for provision
of household food, water and crop production. The projections of increased droughts, floods and
bush fires are likely to lead to increasing agricultural losses with impacts on the households. Women
who have the responsibility to provide for them will thus be more vulnerable to climate change.
Agriculture in Mozambique is primarily rainfed and contributes 28 per cent of GDP and employs 81
per cent of its labour force. Overall, where men tend to migrate to cities to look for work, the women
are left with the household responsibilities further aggravating the situation.

Growing data, research and capacity needs
There is much need for specific data to support decision making for increased resilience to climate
change. Some of the data needs include better climate monitoring and modeling, coastal zone
mapping, early warning and vulnerability mapping, flood prediction and monitoring systems for
rivers and cities at risk from cyclones and storms surges. Managing, packaging and dissemination of
climate change information to support increased awareness and evidence-based policy making will
be of paramount importance.

The opportunity
Institutional framework

The institutions that manage climate change in Mozambique include the Ministry for the Coordination
of Environmental Affairs (MICOA) which is the lead environmental management and coordination
body, and the national focal point for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Others include the National Directorate of Forests (within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development), the National Meteorology Institute on New Early Warning Systems/Warning of Tropical
Cyclones and the Technical Secretariat for Food Security and Nutrition addresses climate change and
food security challenges.

Legal and policy framework

Initial National Communication of 2003 formed the basis against which the Climate policy was
formulated. Mozambique has also articulated its National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA)
(2007).

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