Mozambique
Improving water and sanitation services in Greater Maputo and Beira
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. As in other urban areas, 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 system. This 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 since 2007. In this time 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
Where we work in Mozambique
Greater Maputo
We’ve been working in Maputo, Matola and Boane since 2008. In this time we’ve improved the WASH conditions of low-income communities and primary schools by helping the municipality achieve city-wide sanitation and supporting the water utility. We’ve helped to extend water networks by 100km and to install over 600 shared sanitation facilities. So far our work here has benefited over 400,000 people.
Beira
We’ve been working with FIPAG, the owner and operator of water supply assets in Beira, since 2015. Our goal is to reduce losses caused by theft, leakage and inefficient billing and payment collections. By doing this, water services can be extended to low-income customers. We’re also supporting FIPAG’s ability to respond to challenges that low-income customers face, by strengthening their engagement with community-based organisations.
Other cities
We plan to extend our support beyond Maputo, Matola, Boane and Beira to other urban areas before 2020. We’re currently exploring opportunities to work in Nampula and would consider expanding to other major cities in Mozambique.
I can run my business easily without worrying about the children going to the toilet, because I know that they are using a safe, private place.
Key activities in 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.
Read more about our work building the capacity of service providers.
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.
Read more about how we support improvements in sanitation services.
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.
WSUP is a unique organisation with a holistic approach to serve the urban poor. It understands their needs and barriers, with skills to work at grass roots levels and also with utilities and the private sector.
To find out how you can support our work in Mozambique, please contact us at partnerships@wsup.com or call us on +44 (0)20 7822 1867.