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HAI’s Cyclone Idai Response: Health system infrastructure rebuild

May 2, 2019

On March 14, 2019 Cyclone Idai hit Mozambique’s port city of Beira, substantially damaging ~80% of local infrastructure and leaving the two central provinces of Mozambique in a state of emergency. In the days that followed, flooding, food shortages, and lack of secure housing continued to add to the overall public health burden of the cyclone.

With an established presence in Beira and 30+ years of experience working alongside local health authorities in the two most affected provinces, Health Alliance International was well positioned and ready to join the response.



 

In total, Cyclones Idai and Kenneth substantially damaged 94 Mozambican health facilities, including equipment, furniture, medicine and supplies. This infrastructural damage continues to affect everything from everyday service delivery to critical care. For example, four districts in Sofala province are currently unable to perform lifesaving surgeries, including cesarean sections. Most damaged facilities were clinics that provide the first line of primary health care delivery in Mozambique’s National Health Service.  

Public sector health clinics are the single source of health services for the vast majority of the population of Mozambique.

The Provincial Health Service of Sofala Province asked Health Alliance International to support rehabilitation of two health facilities damaged by Idai: MANGA MASCARENHAS HEALTH CENTER in Beira City, where 83% of all infrastructure was damaged by the storm; and CHISSINGUANA HEALTH CENTER in Buzi District, where flooding reached up to 19 feet deep.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and a significant grant from Direct Relief, HAI is not only committed to the infrastructural rehabilitation of these two health facilities, but also to re-equipping both facilities with medicines, supplies, and equipment.

HAI staff consult with contractor as rehabilitation begins at Manga Mascarenhas Health Center in Beira, Mozambique

Public sector health clinics are the single source of health services for the vast majority of the population of Mozambique. As relief agency resources and temporary emergency medical posts begin to disappear, these health centers will remain to care for the physical and mental health needs of their communities. Investing in the recovery of the public health system is critical to ensuring Mozambique’s impacted communities have renewed and ongoing access to healthcare services after this unprecedented storm.

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Our Mission

Our mission is to promote policies and support programs that strengthen government primary health care and foster social, economic, and health equity for all. Our vision is a just world that promotes health and well-being, including universal access to quality health care.

Our History

Health Alliance International began in 1987 as a US-based international solidarity organization committed to supporting the public sector provision of health care for all.  Over 35 years, HAI conducted programs in 17 countries, with flagship programs in Mozambique, Côte d'Ivoire, and Timor-Leste.

Our Evolution

In line with HAI’s commitment to support and strengthen local public health leadership, as of October 2021, HAI fully transitioned global operations and active programs to locally-based, locally-led NGOs. Learn more about this shift toward local autonomy and equity in global health.

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