More than 3 million US dollars was the amount spent by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) over the last four years, to strengthen food security for over 3,000 families in need and or affected by HIV/AIDS in the Mozambican provinces of Sofala and Manica.

That amount, funded by Belgium and with the contribution of the Mozambican government, was used for livestock development and several micro-projects for the promotion of cash crops, as well as to support initiatives of local associations of people affected by HIV/AIDS, including vulnerable women and orphans in the districts of Nhamatanda and Gorongosa, in the Province of Sofala, and Mossurize, in the Province of Manica.

The HIV prevalence rate in the central region, where Manica and Sofala are situated, is estimated at around 16.7%, and it can reach 18% between 2009 and 2010, according to official figures. The region is also marked by high levels of poverty headcount and chronic malnutrition.

Both provinces are crossed by an important transport corridor, which links the country to Zimbabwe. This is an important trading point for the population but it also contributes for the propagation of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

With the funding obtained from the government of Belgium, FAO has been working in various areas, having the youth, women and vulnerable families as the main target groups. This has been materialized through the Project “Protecting and Improving Household Food Security and Nutrition in HIV/AIDS Affected Areas in Manica and Sofala Provinces”, with the code GCP/MOZ/079/BEL.

Through this project and in the livestock component, FAO has already delivered 1,123 goats and 474 birds, including the local “landim” hen, Guinea-fowl and ducks. In the agriculture component FAO has delivered 8 mills and 10 motorpumps, as well as agricultural inputs, to around 3,500 local families and associations, with a view to promote the beneficiaries’ livelihood.

Speaking on the occasion of the handing-over of part of that lot to the members of the Fambizanaie Association, in the District of Nhamatanda, the coordinator of this FAO food and nutrition security project, Mr Noel Trindade, mentioned the need to use the animals delivered in a rational and sustainable manner, in order to break the vulnerability and poverty cycle:

“Do not sell all the animals that you have received. Use production to increase your supply and food security levels, and with the offspring, help other families to improve their situation.”, said Noel Trindade.

The District Administrator, Mr. Paulo Majacunene, who led the handing-over ceremony, informed on the occasion that the government has already launched the process to purchase medicines to treat the animals delivered, so as to avoid possible losses and to support their production.

The FAO project, initiated in 2005, will come to an end in February of the current year. A new phase to consolidate the results attained is at an advanced stage of negotiation with the government of Belgium, and is expected to be launched by mid-2009.