Triangular cooperation between Brazil, Mozambique and Germany: disaster prevention in Mozambique

Project description

Title: Regional Fund for the Promotion of Triangular Cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean – individual measure: Disaster and risk management (INGC) in Mozambique
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Countries: Brazil (partner country), Mozambique (recipient country)
Overall term: 2013 to 2015

Context

Mozambique’s geographical location means the country is repeatedly hit by natural disasters. Irregular precipitation throughout the year and fluctuating rainfall levels often trigger flooding and drought. Frequent tropical cyclones further increase Mozambique’s susceptibility to flood disasters. Mozambique’s National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC), which was founded in 1999, is driving forward the modernisation of the country’s existing systems while rolling out new preventive concepts designed to protect people against disasters.

On behalf of Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH first started working with INGC back in 2002. Given Brazil’s extensive experience – specifically that of the Brazilian Directorate for Hydrography and Navigation (DHN) and the National Institute for Meteorology (INMET) – in forecasting the weather, flooding and storm surges, Mozambique and Germany were particularly keen to get Brazil on board. Initial talks in 2010 led the following year to preparations for a trilateral project agreement which the partners finally signed in March 2012. Resources from the Regional Fund have made it possible to continue and step up project activities since 2013.

Objective

Triangular cooperation has put in place infrastructure that can be used to monitor risks and to forecast and manage emergency situations. Mozambique’s Buzi and Save rivers both have an early warning system and an effective disaster management system in place in order to prevent civilian casualties and minimise any economic damage caused by flooding.

Approach

The project is building the institutional capacities of Mozambique’s National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC) and National Institute for Meteorology (INAM). Both INGC and INAM are responsible for project coordination, infrastructure, assigning staff and improving disaster preparedness and management along the Buzi and Save rivers. INAM specialises in early warning systems, while INGC is responsible for evacuation and emergency assistance.

The Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) is in charge of coordinating the Brazilian contribution and it also provides funding for the construction of disaster preparedness and coordination centres. Brazilian institutions such as DHN, INMET, the National Water Agency (ANA), the Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC), the University of São Paulo and the Federal University of Alagoas contribute their expertise in the field of weather forecasting, flood prevention and flood disaster preparedness. GIZ, the Institute for Technology and Resources Management in the Tropics and Subtropics of the University of Applied Sciences Cologne and the German Meteorological Service (Deutscher Wetterdienst, DWD) are working with the partners in the field of disaster preparedness and management, with a particular focus on rural regions. Since 2013, the aim of Germany’s contribution to the project has been to step up support for municipalities in a bid to help them consolidate their early warning systems and make use of the information at their disposal.

Results

To prevent any civilian casualties in future and to limit the damage caused to the economy by flooding, effective and reliable early warning systems and a modern disaster management protocol are being set up along Mozambique’s Buzi and Save rivers with project support.

Stations that automatically carry out climatological and hydrological measurements have been installed, as has a system for recording hydrometeorological data. A significant number of technicians from Mozambique’s National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC) and National Institute for Meteorology (INAM) have received training in disaster management and weather observation as well as in the use of maritime early warning systems.

Additional information