Mozambique

March 2019 update: due to the catastrophic damage caused by Cyclone Idai, WSUP programmes in Beira are temporarily on hold whilst humanitarian agencies carry out relief operations. We expect that WSUP’s work will recommence soon.

Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world.

Half the urban population lives below the national poverty line and only a quarter have access to piped water. As the number of people living in major towns and cities grows, so does the need for better water and sanitation services.

In Maputo the sewer system only covers a small part of the city. With no organised system in place to deal with toilet waste, there is a huge need to invest in better on-site sanitation methods so that waste can be safely collected and avoid contaminating the water supplies. The lack of access to improved sanitation has a direct impact on health, dignity and economic growth in the poorest communities.

What are we doing to help?
We have worked in Mozambique from 2007 and since then we’ve engaged with local government, service providers and communities to improve access to vital water and sanitation services for low-income urban families.

Connecting people to water services in Maputo, Mozambique

Building stronger service providers

Building and maintaining strong service providers is essential to improving WASH services for low-income customers. In Greater Maputo and Beira we’ve worked with water utilities and asset owners to reduce losses caused by theft, leakage and inefficient billing and payment collections. In Greater Maputo, we’ve also improved the capacity of smaller private operators which serve low-income communities.

Report: Feb 2018 – An integrated approach to peri-urban sanitation and hygiene in Maputo

Improving sanitation service delivery

Maputo’s sewer network only covers a small part of the city and investment is needed for better on-site sanitation methods. Since 2008 we’ve worked with the city and nationwide institutions in Maputo to improve sanitation services through improved strategic planning, new regulations and funding mechanisms.

Report: May 2016 – Increasing municipal finance for sanitation: towards a sanitation tariff in Maputo 

Improving facilities in schools

Poor water, sanitation and hygiene have a serious impact on children’s lives, affecting their health and reducing school attendance. To tackle this we’re working with schools in Maputo and the surrounding areas to improve water and sanitation facilities, and promote better hygiene practices.