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Secondary data review: Gender-Based Violence – Mozambique: Cyclone Idai and floods, April 2019

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Mozambique
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Protection Cluster
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CRISIS OVERVIEW

Tropical Cyclone Idai made landfall on 14 March, in Beira city (Sofala province), Central Mozambique. As of 15 April, over 600 people are confirmed to have died in the cyclone and subsequent events. A total 1.5 million people are affected, and over 140,000 people are displaced in more than 120 accommodation centers, public buildings and schools in the affected provinces. Sofala province has the highest number of displaced population, followed by Manica province (INGC, 4/2019).

Key Priorities

• Past lessons as well as assessment reports both highlight that women and girls and their families have been adopting negative mechanisms to cope with basic needs and economic hardship, including being exposed to sexual exploitation, sex work, early and forced marriage. Reviving livelihood and income generating activities are key to mitigate GBV risks.

• The displaced population living in sites are under stressed conditions, overcrowding and lack of wash facilities increase the risk of GBV. With sporadic ongoing relocation, women and girls are exposed to less safe and dignified environment.

• Living conditions are more severe and needs are largely unfulfilled in the communities outside the camps, especially in areas that are hard to reach. In these communities, a lack of basic needs including food and shelter has been reported, which increases risks of vulnerable population.

• The number of female-headed households as well as widowed women has increased in the aftermath of the disaster. Accompanied by a high number of pregnant women who are estimated to give birth, it is critical to ensure access to functional Sexual and Reproductive Health services and social care.

• Community-based referral and psychosocial support by local partners have been operational prior to the cyclone. As they act as the main first contacts for vulnerable groups in the communities, more resources and capacity building on GBV in emergencies are needed to scale up the existing community-based services.