Mozambique
Capital:
Maputo
Population:
32.9 million
Area:
801,590
km2

Despite recent economic growth and increasing political stability, Mozambique remains one of the poorest countries in the world.

Improvements in living standards are often focused on urban areas, but over two thirds of the population live rurally. In remote villages, most people don’t have a toilet, and working taps are in short supply – leaving people with no choice but to rely on dirty water from rivers or holes in the ground.

Mozambique is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. As temperatures rise, droughts are making it even harder for people to get the water they need for drinking, staying clean, and growing food. And extreme weather events like floods and cyclones are increasingly common, contaminating or destroying fragile water and sanitation systems.

people don't have clean water.

That's almost a third of the population.

 people don't have a decent toilet.

That's over 20 million people.

Every day, under 5 die from diarrhoeal diseases

caused by dirty water and poor toilets.

Our work in Mozambique

We’ve been active in Mozambique since 1995, working alongside the Government to influence their policies and ensure that essential water and sanitation are prioritised.

We share our experience, so local authorities and businesses have the skills they need to build systems that last. And we support those who are most often overlooked to understand and claim their rights to services.

Working together – with communities, partner organisations and the Government – we’re developing lasting solutions to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere in Mozambique.

Keeping wards clean – and patients safe

With running water on tap, staff at Mecanhelas health centre can wash their hands, sterilise equipment, and limit the spread of deadly infections.

Image: WaterAid/ Etinosa Yvonne

Before we started working with our partners to bring clean water to communities in Mecanhelas, a remote district of Niassa province, staff at the health centre here had to make multiple trips a day to fetch buckets of dusty water from the local well.

Now, with clean water piped directly to the centre, doctors and nurses can wash their hands and sterilise instruments between patients. Janitors can focus on keeping the wards clean, rather than collecting water. And, with improved hygiene, patients can receive safer care.

Supporting girls to stay in school

Now her school has decent toilets, handwashing facilities and menstrual hygiene sessions, 12-year-old Madina can focus on what really matters: her education.

Image: WaterAid/ Chileshe Chanda

Without anywhere to manage their periods safely, many girls at Madina’s school in Mecanhelas used to stay at home every month, missing out on vital lessons – and the life opportunities that education brings.

Now, the school has a purpose-built sanitary block, complete with flushable toilets, running water, and features to support people with disabilities. In the classroom, students learn about good menstrual hygiene, sharing their newfound knowledge not only with their peers, but with their parents and the wider community too.

As a result, enrolment at Madina's school has increased dramatically.

I now feel safe to go to the toilet.
Madina, 12

Transforming toilets in Nampula, one house at a time

Without a toilet, Daudo and his family had no choice but to go in the bush, risking their health, safety and dignity. Inspired by our training, Daudo built his own toilet and then supported his neighbours to do the same – transforming hygiene in his community.

Daudo, 46, with his wife Amina, their nephew Munir and daughter Bia in front of their home in Lacua Village, Lunga District, Mozambique, May 2018.
Image: WaterAid/ Chileshe Chanda

Support our appeal this winter and help us reach more health centres with essential clean water.

Get involved, your way

Join an event, fundraise with friends or find your own way to transform lives.

Delve deeper into our work

Explore the latest publications, research and policy papers from our work in Mozambique.

WaterAid Mozambique

Discover more on the WaterAid Mozambique website (in Portuguese).