OVERVIEW OF CLIMATE AND HEALTH IN MOZAMBIQUE

Climate change and climate variability are already affecting Mozambique. Since the 1950s, the country has experienced an increase in the occurrence of extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, hurricanes, and cyclones. From 1960 to 2006, temperatures have increased by 0.6 ºC and mean annual rainfall has decreased by an average of 2.5 mm per decade. Since the 1960s, rainy seasons have commenced later, and dry spells have lasted longer.

These observed changes in climate are expected to continue into the future. Climate projections predict that mean annual temperatures in Mozambique are likely to rise by 1.0-2.8 ºC by the 2060s and between 1.4-4.6 ºC by the end of the 21st century. Precipitation is anticipated to increase in most parts of the country, particularly during the rainy season. Droughts and floods are predicted to become more frequent, and cyclones more intense.

Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, and the increase in frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events have already had a severe impact on health in Mozambique. These impacts have been both direct and indirect. Extreme weather events result in injury, disease and the direct loss of human life. They also cause the loss and destruction of crops, livestock, ecosystems, and economic and social infrastructure—all key determinants of human health.

Vector-borne diseases, diarrhoeal diseases and malnutrition are all influenced by seasonal, inter-annual climate variability. Malaria is of a particular concern for Mozambique. Warmer temperatures and a rise in heavy rainfall events will increase mosquito breeding, which can increase the spread of malaria. Diarrhoea and cholera also show a strong relationship to climate variability, which is likely to be exacerbated by climate change.

ACTIVITIES

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Strengthening the Resilience of the Mozambique Health System to Climate Change Impacts

Organisations involved: WHO (implementer), Flanders (donor)

Description: The goal of the project is to strengthen the climate resilience of Mozambique’s National Health System, enabling it to better prepare for, cope with and manage the health risks posed by climate variability and change.

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National Climate, Environment and Health Observatory

Organisations involved: Ministry of Health-National Institute of Health, Mozambique

Description: The National Climate, Environment and Health Observatory aims to generate and promote scientific evidence to inform climate-resilient health policies and plans, increase awareness, and monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of health adaptation actions.

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Public Dialogue on Climate Change and Health in Mozambique

Organisations involved:Ministry of Health-National Institute of Health and National Observatory of Health, Mozambique

Description: The primary aim of the public dialogue was to sensitise key actors and civil society on current and future impacts of climate change in the health sector. The dialogue also aimed to build support for a multi-sectoral response to mitigate the impact of climate change on health.

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ATLAS – Climate Adaptation, Thought Leadership and Assessments

Organisations involved: INS (implementer), USAID (donor)

Description: ATLAS aims to improve the quality and effectiveness of climate risk reduction in development programmes through tested, harmonised approaches to adaptation assessments; thought leadership; and by building the capacity of USAID and its partners.

Website: https://www.climatelinks.org/projects/atlas

Photo credit: Henriques Balidy, 2015, Centre for the Sustainable Development of Coastal Zones.

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Capacity building training for Mozambique health sector on Water, Sanitation and Climate Change

Organisations involved: WHO

Description: Training was conducted in 2018 and 2019 aimed at strengthening capacity in provinces and districts to address the health risks of climate change and environmental determinants of health. Sessions included training on water quality monitoring and surveillance, environmental health training, water safety planning, WASH and the prevention of diarrheal disease, cholera, and malaria.

Download the training report

HISTORY OF CLIMATE AND HEALTH ACTION IN MOZAMBIQUE

June 1992
January 2005
August 2008
November 2012
March 2016
April 2016
May 2016
July 2016
August 2016
September 2016
June 2017
January 2018

June 1992

On 12 June 1992, Mozambique signs the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which recognises the adverse impacts of climate change on human health and welfare.

January 2005

On 18 January 2005, Mozambique ratifies the Kyoto Protocol, which commits 128 participating countries to cut emissions of greenhouse gases by over 5% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012.

August 2008

Mozambique signs the Libreville Declaration on Health and Environment. The declaration aims to secure political commitment for catalysing the policy, institutional and investment changes required to reduce environmental threats to health.

November 2012

Mozambique approves its National Strategy for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation 2013-2015 (MICOA). The strategy outlines the health risks posed by climate change and underscores the importance of early warning systems and capacity building for the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases.

March 2016

The Environmental Health Department of the Ministry of Health starts developing its first preparedness, response, and recovery protocols for extreme climate events.

April 2016

On 22 April 2016, Mozambique signs the Paris Agreement. In addition to setting ambitious targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions, the Agreement pushes countries to develop adaptation plans that will protect human health from the impacts of climate change.

May 2016

The National Institute of Health publishes the results of the first evaluation of climate change impacts on malaria and diarrhoeal disease.

July 2016

Mozambique’s Climate and Health Observatory is established with the aim of generating and promoting scientific evidence to inform climate-resilient health policies and plans.

August 2016

In order to build internal capacity and foster cross-sectoral collaboration, the first Climate Change and Health Workshop is held at the Ministry of Health.

September 2016

A Memorandum of Understanding is established between the National Institute of Health (INS) and the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) that will enable INS to routinely receive monitoring reports on the impact of climate change on health.

June 2017

The National Observatory of Health holds the first high-level public debate to raise awareness among key actors and society at large of the risks that climate change poses to human health and to advocate for for multi-sectoral responses.

January 2018

The WHO, with support from the Government of Flanders, launches a four-year project (2018-2021) that will support the Ministry of Health to improve its capacity to coordinate and lead efforts on health adaptation to climate change.