On January 13, 2025, in the localities of Nhacalapo and Miteme, in the district of Tambara (Manica Province), AICS-Maputo carried out the distribution of seed kits for maize and beans (totaling one ton), benefiting 67 small-scale producers, more than half of whom were women. This activity was part of the response to food insecurity caused by the El Niño phenomenon, developed by AICS in collaboration with the Government of Manica Province and the District of Tambara.
Manica Province is facing the effects of El Niño, which caused severe drought, affecting approximately 1.8 million people. February 2024 was the driest month in the last 100 years (source: OCHA 2024). The figures confirm this alarming scenario, with 166,126 people facing acute food insecurity and around 49,384 in emergency situations in Manica Province. This results in 39.1% of children under five years old suffering from chronic malnutrition.
In response to this alarming situation, AICS joined efforts with the Government of Mozambique to fight hunger and increase agricultural production in Manica Province, both through today’s seed distribution and through projects aimed at improving food security in the region. Additionally, at the request of the Provincial Secretary of State, AICS had already delivered 1,100 kg of bean seeds in May of the previous year.
The distribution in Tambara district is part of the initiative “More Resilience, More Communities: Strengthening the Resilience of Communities Most Exposed to Environmental Disasters in Manica and Tete,” implemented by a consortium led by WeWorld GVC, in collaboration with CUAMM and AIFO, in partnership with the local NGO SEPPA.
The project started on October 1, 2024, and aims to increase the resilience of the most vulnerable communities in areas most affected by extreme climate events, with a gender-sensitive and inclusive approach, in line with the health-climate nexus. The project covers the districts of Tsangano and Doa in Tete Province, and Guru and Tambara in Manica Province, focusing on the restoration of essential health, agriculture, and infrastructure services, as well as strengthening local governments in disaster preparedness and early disaster management, such as in the case of the El Niño phenomenon.