Contribution to WHO and UNICEF for the COVID-19 response in Mozambique

Project completed

With this complementary contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Switzerland supports the Government of Mozambique to reduce morbidity and mortality due to the COVID-19  pandemic. The program envisages a comprehensive approach with health and Water Sanitation Hygiene components, and aims to develop local long term pandemic preparedness and response capacities for future public health emergencies.   

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Mozambique
Health
Water
nothemedefined
Health systems strengthening
Water sanitation
01.09.2020 - 31.03.2022
CHF  3’581’000
Background The first case of COVID-19  in Mozambique was reported on March 22. While infection rates considerably increased in recent weeks, a peak is predicted in the last quarter of 2020 only As of 27th July, the reported number of cumulative cases is 1’700 (11 deaths) and 2 of the 11 provinces have registered community transmissions. However, it has to be assumed, that reported figures are highly underestimated due to the very low testing capacities in the country. In order to respond to the pandemic, the Mozambique health sector has elaborated a national health COVID-19  preparedness and response plan (total budget 260 mio CHF) and established different technical working groups chaired by the Ministry of Health and co-chaired by partners representatives to ensure an effective, efficient, and coordinated response. However despite the good work in the elaboration and implementation of the national response plan, the country still faces challenges in essential service systems -including for health and Water Sanitation Hygiene (WASH)- which were already strained preCOVID-19  and struggle to cope with additional pressures. With this contribution to UNICEF and WHO, Switzerland’s supports the national government response plan. The intervention complements priority areas of collaboration, Switzerland is already engaged with the two UN organisations in its regular country programme (Water Sanitation Hygiene , Health System Strengthening).  
Objectives The overall objective of the project is to prevent vulnerable population from avoidable morbidity and mortality related to the COVID-19  pandemic and minimize its negative impact on the health of the population, and consequently on the country´s economic and social spheres.  
Target groups

The ultimate target group is the vulnerable male and female population of Mozambique (with a total population of approx. 31 mio) affected by the COVID 19-crisis. The specific target groups are:  

1)  50 health facilities, community health posts, and 2000 schools with improved access to WASH services, 

2)  Around 1’270’000 people in public spaces or communities  reached with critical COVID19  related Water Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) supplies and services, 

3)  2’000’000 people reached with hygiene messages and information on COVID -19, 

4) Relevant government and civil society stakeholders at national, provincial and district level engaged in the COVID-19  response efforts. 

Medium-term outcomes

1) Improved national/provincial coordination mechanisms for an effective multi-sectoral COVID-19  preparedness and response. 

2) Strengthened capacities of health institutions to detect, isolate, and treat COVID 19 affected people.

3) Improved access to critical WASH services for vulnerable communities, schools, public spaces and health facilities. 

4) Reduced impact of COVID-19  pandemic on the population’s health by ensuring continuity of essential health services. 

Results

Expected results:  

1) Provision of  critical WASH infrastructure, WASH services and hygiene supplies to health facilities, isolation wards, schools, and COVID19  affected communities.

2) Support to health institutions and laboratories  in procurement, dissemination, and utilisation of material required to reduce infection rate and to test and treat COVID-19  cases.

3) Provision of technical assistance to health facilities to reduce the impact of COVID-19  on the health system and to ensure the continuation of other essential health services. 

4) Provision of technical asistance to relevant national, province and district governenment and stakeholders to lead and more effectively coordinate, plan, implement and monitor the national COVID-19  response.

5) Support the relevant government and other stakeholders in the provision of information/ messaging material to be disseminated to communities, schools, and health facilities.  


Results from previous phases:   N/A 


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
Private sector
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • Foreign private sector South/East
  • United Nations Children’s Fund
  • World Health Organization


Coordination with other projects and actors

Coordination: Ministry and Province/District Directorates of Health, Ministry and Province/District Directorates of Public Works, Housing and Water,  Health Partners Group (HPG), WASH cluster and COVID-19  Core Group (CG), Technical working groups of national response structure.

Synergies with the SDC supported Joint Fund for Rural Water and Sanitation (PRONASAR), Health System Strengthening Support Program (PROSAUDE), Transparent Governance for Water, Sanitation and Health (GoTAS), Cabo Delgado Health Programme, and the Solidarmed  COVID-19  Response Programme. 

Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    3’581’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    3’540’067
Project phases

Phase 1 01.09.2020 - 31.03.2022   (Completed)