Progress in reducing poverty and child mortality

The second national poverty reduction strategy developed by the Government of Mozambique, known by its Portuguese acronym as PARPA II (2006-2009), (Mozambique’s PRSP), sets time-bound targets in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Mozambique is also grappling with the rapidly evolving aid environment, with increased alignment of donor activity centred on the PARPA and a move towards direct budget support and sector-wide approaches, with all significant funding for a given sector supporting one policy and expenditure programme across the sector.

While progress is evident in the achievement of some of the MDGs, the situation in relation to others is not improving or is not improving fast enough. For instance, in the case of MDG 1 (eradicating extreme poverty and hunger), Mozambique is on course to halve the proportion of people living in extreme poverty by 2015 but is unlikely to halve the proportion of those suffering from hunger, because of drought, floods and other natural calamity -related constraints. Similarly, while MDGs 4 and 5 concerning child mortality and maternal health are on track, it is unlikely that the objectives of universal primary education (MDG 2), gender equality (MDG 3), halting the spread of HIV/AIDS (MDG 6), and ensuring environmental sustainability (MDG 7) will be met by the target year of 2015.

Disparities still persist between provinces, urban and rural areas, and men and women. The triple threat of HIV/AIDS, food insecurity, and the ensuing weakened governance capacity especially for service delivery, threatens to reverse recent gains.

In 2006, the United Nations and the Government launched a Millennium Villages programme to accelerate the achievement of the MDGs at grass-roots level. This endeavour is being supported under a United Nations Joint Programme, with the proactive involvement of UNDP.

Last updated 1 November 2007