MOZAMBIQUE
About the Project
This project, implemented by União Geral dos Camponeses (UGC) aims to mobilise and engage government representatives and businesses in Mozambique. It complements existing advocacy efforts on malaria carried out in particular by the Mozambique Coalition Against Malaria, calling for community access increase through involvement of government sectors related to development, enterprises, businessman in malaria fight.
About União Geral dos Camponeses
UGC was formed by seven agricultural cooperatives of Maputo in 1980 with a membership of 250 small scale farmers as a service cooperative and support structure. It aimed at representing the agricultural cooperative both at internal and international level, proving services to its members in areas such as training, extension work, procurement and fund raising. The movement, made up almost entirely of unemployed women with low levels of schooling and technical training, initially sought to provide its members with support to acquire food items at wholesale prices and an additional income to the household through the sales of their agricultural products. After the training courses under UGC, the members improved their technical capacity, level of organization, management skills and reversed their situation. The women became in many cases main figures of their families. By the end of the 80s the main production activities shifted from agriculture to aviculture (poultry raising) and credit scheme was developed.
UGC developed a strong component working with communities- The UGC Development Support. Through this UCG supports poor and rural families to develop capacities and skills providing some training to develop life abilities as computers, carpentry and provide some financial support and some agreements with one university in Mozambique to promote women's high education. UGC have projects as well as to support families living with HIV/AIDS as well as to house and provide education to street children.
Background to the Project
Mozambique is among the ten nations most affected by malaria. Stable transmission rates make malaria Mozambique's primary cause of morbidity and mortality, resulting in an estimated 44,00-67,000 malaria-specific deaths each year, across all age groups. Because the entire country is malaria endemic, approximately 682,000 pregnant woman and 2.8 million children under age five are at risk. Well known as a disease that both causes and is caused by poverty, malaria significantly burdens Mozambican families, communities, the health system, and national resources. Controlling malaria is one of the nation's greatest challenges. Country specific data indicate that malaria contributes to 15% of the disease burden in the general population with higher figures for children under 2 years, accounting for 40% of outpatient consultations, 60% of pediatric inpatients, and a third of hospital deaths.
The project will focus its "political angle" on advocating for the inclusion of malaria in current policy debates on poverty, especially the Poverty Reduction Action Plan. For its work with businesses, the project will engage existing groups such as the Confederation of Mozambican economics associations and Mozal, the largest industrial project in Mozambique.
Objectives of the Project
The project has 3 main objectives:
- To mobilize ministries to be involved in malaria fight, considering malaria in development plans;
- To request concrete actions to support malaria control activities from big enterprises; and
- To engage businesses in the fight against malaria
Some of the project's key activities include:
- The production of a documentary illustrating the link between malaria and poverty and focusing on how malaria can impede development. It will consider the issues of education, agriculture, tourism, and employment. "Champions" will deliver messages, calling on government for concrete interventions to control malaria;
- The production of a booklet on malaria success stories;
- An exhibition on malaria at a private sector-Government Annual Meeting;
- The creation of a "business group on malaria".
More Information
Please contact Fernandes Domingos at ugcapm@tvcabo.co.mz
