The history of Mozambique shows repeated occurrences of natural disasters such as droughts and cyclones, as well as pests and health epidemics (including HIV/AIDS). In the year 2000 Mozambique was hit by the worst flood event in 50 years, which caused enormous destruction and losses and left a quarter of the population affected with around 540,000 people displaced and one hundred killed. In the following year, 2001, the country was flooded again in the central region, as well as in 2003 in the northern region.

Recent floods and their impacts on the highly fragile economy and vulnerable social network accentuated the continued need for a well-defined plan of action for strengthening the country's disaster management capacity. A national policy on disasters management was formulated and a new Institute of Disaster Management was created in June 1999, marking a substantial change in the philosophy of dealing with disasters and the need for an integrated long-term plan of managing disasters. The institute was established as a national coordinating entity with the legal authority to call on all partners to plan and implement response and prevention measures.

Crisis Prevention and Recovery
Many countries are increasingly vulnerable to violent conflicts or natural disasters that can erase decades of development and further entrench poverty and inequality.
Through its global network, UNDP seeks out and shares innovative approaches to crisis prevention, early warning and conflict resolution. And UNDP is on the ground in almost every developing country – so wherever the next crisis occurs, we will be there to help bridge the gap between emergency relief and long term development.
In Mozambique, UNDP supports crisis prevention and recovery by providing technical assistance to strengthen the coordination capacity of two major institutions. These are the Mozambique’s National Disaster Management Institute, which is responsible for preparing for natural disasters and mitigating their impact, and the De-mining National Institute, which coordinates mine clearance activities. (...)
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