26/05/26
In northern Mozambique, families are facing a health crisis. But there is still hope, and you can help.
In early 2025, USAID withdrew from Mozambique. Clinics lost much of their medicine, their staff and resources. For families in the Nampula region, one of the poorest within one of Africa's least developed countries, there was suddenly nowhere to turn.
Muassite, the Missions Coordinator of the Diocese of Nampula, saw the suffering firsthand. The line to the clinic trailed around the corner. Mothers had slept outside on the ground, hoping their son or daughter would be seen by a health professional.
‘For many years we told people to go to the hospital when they were sick,’ Muassite explains. ‘They trusted us. They walked for hours to get here, but now there is no one here to help.’
A crisis with no quick fix
Across 2026, an estimated 2.4 million people in Mozambique are expected to be in need of health care. Malaria cases have surged 55% amid the peak rainy season.
Mozambique already has one of the highest malaria death rates in the world, with over 10 million cases and 22,000 deaths annually.
The toll of the crisis on children is severe. More than 9 out of 10 live in households using drinking water contaminated with E. coli. Only 14% have access to basic handwashing facilities. Without medicine or health services, preventable diseases are becoming life-threatening ones.
Refusing to give up
The crisis is huge, but the Diocese of Nampula is determined to keep helping its communities to thrive. Volunteers go door-to-door teaching families how disease spreads and how to use mosquito nets correctly. Health champions including pastors, other faith leaders and community elders encourage families to seek care earlier.
Trainers like Emilia are teaching women in their communities how to prepare nutritious meals that help protect young children from malnutrition. Through health and life-skills education, the diocese is equipping a new generation with the knowledge to protect themselves and their families for years to come.
This EOFY, stand with families in Mozambique
You can help stop suffering before it begins.
The Diocese of Nampula is ready to reach more communities with life-saving knowledge. What they need now is support to continue. Your gift can help make that possible.
The Australian Government is helping our cause. For every donation you make to this project it will be combined with funding from the Australia NGO Cooperation Program to reach more people and extend this vital program.
Sources
World Food Programme, Country brief Mozambique.
UNICEF For every child. Health and WASH Brief, October 2025
www.severemalaria.org/countries/mozambique
