Maputo, 1 Apr (AIM) – The Japanese government has committed to disbursing US$1.4 million to support health facilities in the province of Cabo Delgado, in northern Mozambique.

The project, which will be implemented by United Nations agencies, is expected to benefit more than 500,000 people in health units who will receive financial assistance.

According to Japanese Ambassador Keiji Hamada, speaking during the launch of the project, the initiative will be expanded to cover women’s empowerment, water supply, sanitation and hygiene. It will also cover communities affected by crises, especially those affected by Islamic terrorism in Cabo Delgado.

The diplomat explained that one of the initiatives aims to strengthen the emergency response capacity of the health system in Cabo Delgado.

According to Hamada, the project will be implemented in the districts of Balama, Meluco and Pemba, capital of the province, in close coordination with the Government and United Nations agencies.

The intervention includes the delivery of three ambulances and the training of professionals, including drivers and nurses, to ensure the effective use of these resources in the health system.

“Patients who currently face great difficulties in accessing emergency care will have faster and safer access to health services,” he explained.

For her part, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Mozambique, Catherine Sozi, highlighted Japan’s continued support for the organization’s initiatives.

“The direct beneficiaries will be approximately 2,900 women and girls, while approximately 16,000 community members are expected to benefit indirectly,” she said.

“The aim of our project is to protect and empower women and girls affected by the crisis by restoring livelihoods, reducing protection risks and strengthening women’s leadership in humanitarian response and recovery,” he added.

The program includes distributing emergency non-food items, supporting livelihoods, promoting menstrual dignity and strengthening the participation of local women’s organizations.

“We want to see more women-led organizations actively participating in the humanitarian response,” she said.

The head of the National Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (INGD), Luísa Meque, considered Japan’s support a significant gesture of solidarity.

“These projects will contribute significantly to meeting the immediate needs of those affected,” she said.

Meque recalled that since the beginning of the 2025-2026 rainy season, floods and cyclones have affected more than a million people, causing 306 deaths and 351 injuries.

“Japan has been an important partner for Mozambique in risk management, supporting the training of national personnel and flood risk reduction projects,” she said.
(AIM)
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