Children in Mozambique to Benefit from New Climate Resilient Social Protection Initiative

Climate Challenge in Mozambique 

Mozambique, located on Africa's southeast coast, faces severe climate vulnerabilities such as frequent floods, droughts, and cyclones, compounded by its ranking of 185th out of 189 countries in the 2021 Human Development Index. These climate impacts disproportionately affect the central region, where recurrent droughts lead to crop failures, food insecurity, and child malnutrition, affecting over 11 million people. The increasing water scarcity exacerbates issues like cholera outbreaks annually. Drought, the most prevalent climate hazard over the past 50 years, annually affects around 600,000 individuals. Climate analysis for the project highlights escalating drought frequency and intensifying dry seasons, particularly in central Mozambique, negatively impacting agriculture and food security. Predicted changes in rainfall patterns could lead to significant reductions in agricultural revenue, crucial for enhancing per capita income among Mozambican families. These statistics underscore the country's heightened vulnerability to drought exacerbated by climate change. 

The LINK Project 

Principally funded by the Green Climate Fund, with co-financing from Save the Children Italy, Norad, the Government of Mozambique, and AEROMAP, LINK will integrate climate adaptation investments through Local Adaptation Plans into social protection via the Productive Social Action Program (PASP), enhancing Mozambique's Adaptive Social Protection framework. The project aims to increase the climate resilience of 415,000 people, particularly those most vulnerable, to prepare for, cope with, adapt to, and improve their food and water security and well-being, ensuring they do not fall deeper into poverty. This includes vulnerable families, female- and child-headed households, and people with disabilities, whose ability to adapt to climate change is constrained by limited access to information and resources. The project prioritizes nature-based solutions for economic empowerment of vulnerable groups, especially youth, and emphasizes linking with the private sector. Additionally, LINK will leverage Save the Children's experience to support INGD-DARIDAS in developing and implementing Anticipatory Action Plans for droughts, including investments in climate information within the targeted area in partnership with the Eduardo Mondlane University, and integrating children's specific climate change needs into the national humanitarian response strategy. 

Mozambique’s Minister of Land and Environment Ivete Joaquim Maibaze said:

“As the Ministry of Land and Environment, we are pleased to collaborate with partners such as Save the Children International and the Green Climate Fund in launching the LINK project in Mozambique. This initiative represents a significant step forward in our efforts to enhance climate resilience and promote sustainable livelihoods among vulnerable communities across our nation. By integrating climate adaptation investments into our social protection framework through the Local Adaptation Plans and the Productive Social Action Program (PASP), our collective goal is to equip these groups to cope with climate impacts and improve their well-being, thereby preventing further economic hardship. Strengthening our climate information systems is also a critical aspect of this initiative. This underscores Mozambique's commitment to proactive climate resilience strategies and positions us as a leader in climate adaptation and social protection integration within the region. Together with our partners, we are confident that LINK will pave the way for a more resilient and prosperous future for all Mozambicans.” 

Save the Children in Australia CEO, Mat Tinkler, said: 

“In Mozambique, extreme drought and heat is becoming the 'new normal' with devastating impacts on food and water security, as well as health and wellbeing, driving Mozambique’s social protection coverage to breaking point. This project will embed climate resilience in drought prone provinces through climate and social protection policy and practice, by supporting a locally-led approach which is child-responsive and gender inclusive. In close partnership with the Government of Mozambique, LINK will strengthen early warning systems, disaster risk reduction and drought tolerant food chains in communities and schools to equip children and communities with adaptive coping mechanisms for now and into the future.  Save the Children is proud to see its fifth project approved by the Green Climate Fund.” 

Green Climate Fund Deputy Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer, Henry Gonzalez said:   

Protecting the most vulnerable people and communities from the devastating impacts of climate change is a priority for GCF.  We are pleased to partner with Save the Children and the Mozambique Government to increase the climate resilience of impoverished and marginalized groups through this innovative initiative that will integrate climate adaptation investments into social protection. Through a decentralized planning approach and emphasis on youth empowerment, this program can make a real difference in the livelihoods and wellbeing of at-risk families and communities on the frontlines of climate change. 

Save the Children Mozambique Country Director Brechtje Vanlith said:

By mainstreaming climate change adaptation into budgeting, policy development and planning, and providing technical assistance to district-level government representatives, LINK ensures efficient resource use for adaptation actions. With the integration of Local Adaptation Plans into decentralized planning and the enhancement of institutional coordination at various levels, we aim to create a replicable model for investment in effective adaptation, planning and monitoring. LINK’s approach will bring lasting climate resilience for Mozambique, protecting affected families from poverty and marginalization.IN Its impacts will extend beyond the project's scope.