Waiting for the rain to come
As some communities in Mozambique are still recovering from massive flooding, the World Food Programme (WFP) helps others cope with extreme drought
For the third consecutive year, the small community of Chimuala in rural Tete is desperate for rain, the only thing that will awaken the plants in the field and ease the fears of hunger.
A year ago, after the community had lost the two previous crops to drought, local authorities started working with the World Food Programme (WFP) on an initiative funded by USAID Food for Peace to build resilience to shocks.
Participants were selected by the community — with preference given to families headed by women. As they worked to build productive assets that reduce the risk of disasters, strengthen livelihoods and build resilience — such as wells, granaries and latrines — they would receive vouchers to meet their seasonal food needs.
“When our community leader first told us that materials for the project would be delivered and that WFP would give us vouchers to spend on food from the local retailers, I did not believe him,” laughs Carlos Xavier, a highly energetic 26 years old. This father of three girls can’t picture life in a big city and hopes his young family can remain on farm land.
“We were told to clear a path for the trucks and I was very happy when they arrived, together with the food vouchers and the maize, beans, oil, sugar and salt that WFP brought in. After that, I worked hard following the instructions I received!”
“After clearing bush for a road, we built a well to catch water and after that, we built six latrines. Ever since, we haven’t had diarrhea or cholera in the village,” he explains
“Our community will show other villages how to build granaries. We will also teach them what we have learnt about food storage methods, to save seeds and food for tough times,” says Carlos.
Community leader Sacanene Makula, aged 78, is worn out. He tells us he needs to rest knowing he has done everything he could for the community. He explains he even reached out to the ancestors, to ask the reasons of the drought affecting them and how to make it go away. He has sacrificed pigs and goats asking for an end to the community’s suffering.
“The food from WFP came just in time because the people were hungry, especially children. The well is a great idea because when it rains here, it usually floods. We will catch the water for our fields and animals. But it hasn’t rained yet. We’re pumping water but the pump is drying out, we only have a little water in the early morning and late evening,” says Sacanene. “I wish more communities could benefit from this kind of project. This is benefiting 17 families, but there are some 200 households in the wider community.”
