Last week, Tropical Storm Ana caused a wave of destruction across Mozambique. More than 126,000 people have been affected as health centres, schools, power masts and water supply systems were destroyed. And now, another storm is on the way.
‘Our immediate priority, alongside providing food, safe drinking water and shelter, is to ensure that unaccompanied children in particular are able to access safe spaces where they are cared for,’ shares Edgar Jone, who leads Tearfund’s work in Mozambique.
‘The sad reality is that people who were struggling before a storm like this will often become even more vulnerable – especially where they have been forced to flee their homes.’
Tearfund is working with local churches to ensure that children, as well as women and people with disabilities, are able to make it safely to nearby shelters, and that these spaces remain a place of refuge for them.
This includes training 30 gender-champions – local advocates who can help signpost towards care and raise awareness of issues, such as sexual and gender-based violence within the shelters.
