Mozambique ranks as one of most vulnerable countries to disasters and climate change in Africa and the security situation continues to be instable. Additionally, for almost three years, the northern province of Cabo Delgado has been affected by insurgency, a devastating cyclone and severe flooding with many districts becoming inaccessible for humanitarian assistance.
Due to climate insecurity and conflict across the country, Mozambique has over 1 million people who have been internally displaced, with children representing over 50% of the displaced persons.
Over 1M
People are internally displaced due to violence and the climate crisis.
1.2M
Children are estimated to be out of school.
4 out of 10
Children do not complete primary education and only 1 in 4 children complete secondary education.
Street Child has been working in the education sector in Mozambique since the beginning of its operations in the country, starting with school rehabilitation programmes in two districts and working with government authorities to identify where support is needed most. We are active members of the Education Cluster, working to create inclusive learning environments and ensure the provision of psychosocial support for students and teachers, focusing on improving the quality of education provided.
Street Child and our local partners have been working with internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities to safely return children to school. We are an active member of the Protection Cluster, working with local organisations across seven districts in Mozambique. Alongside strengthening protection mechanisms through community networks addressing GBV (Gender Based Violence) and PSEA (Prevention to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse), we also integrate resilience building and disaster risk reduction strategies into our programming to mitigate the impacts when shocks occur, prioritising the needs and concerns of local communities.
On 15th December 2024, Cyclone Chido struck northern Mozambique, devastating communities already displaced by conflict. Mecufi, where Street Child operates, has been hardest hit. Street Child is leading the response in Mecufi alongside UNICEF and local organisations, providing vital support to help families recover. We are distributing essential supplies, such as tents and construction kits, and establishing temporary children’s play centres. Play-based activities, including sports and creative outlets, are being organised to help children heal and rebuild resilience. We are also creating temporary learning spaces and planning to rebuild schools, restoring access to education.
Street Child is engaged with a wide network of local NGOs and community based civil society organisations to provide child protection programs. Working alongside community based child protection committees, we have been enhancing protection and preventative mechanisms, establishing clear referral pathways and focusing on raising awareness at a local level. Another core pillar of this work is providing case management with protection concerns, particularly for unaccompanied or separated children who are at a higher risk of recruitment into the armed forces.
In the north of Mozambique, the already poor education attainment and dropout rates were exacerbated by the crisis. This particularly affected girls, who often would not pass 6th grade due to poor hygiene facilities and social norms. Street Child is dedicated to improving mental health, psychosocial services and protection with a gender sensitive approach in order to improve girls access and attendance in education.
Additionally, Street Child will be integrating climate sustainability initiatives into child protection and education programmes in Mozambique, acknowledging the impact of climate change on the wellbeing of children in the country.
Localisation and investing in local actors to bring them into the humanitarian response is at the heart of what we do. These organisations have the best capacity to understand the surrounding areas, and the power to influence decision making at a local level. Since 2019, we have worked with 5 different local organisations in Mozambique and we are engaging with at least 3 new partners in our programmes in 2023.
32,967
Children reached through our programmes.
9,877
Adults reached through our programmes, such as family business grants given to support vulnerable families, helping to ensure their children can remain in school.
30,832
Children reached with mental health support.
per month could support a child’s education for a whole year.
per month could help a child stay safe and return to learning during a crisis.
could support a rural teacher in West Africa.
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could provide a learning kit, including basic stationary and textbooks, for a child living in the Boko Haram stronghold of North East Nigeria.
could provide sports kit, like footballs and nets, for 100 children fleeing conflict in Mozambique.
could buy warm clothing and basic supplies for a family in Ukraine who have fled the ongoing conflict.
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