For years, residents in Bertina, a village in Mueda District of Cabo Delgado Province in northern Mozambique, have faced significant challenges in accessing clean water. The task of fetching water was not only time-consuming but also posed risks, particularly for women and children. Before the rehabilitation of the water system, fetching a single container of water could take up to two hours from low-lying areas located about an hour away.
The rehabilitation of three water supply systems serving the communities of Mbue, Micalale, and Lianda has significantly improved access to safe water for nearly 20,000 people. This project was made possible through the OCHA-managed Mozambique Humanitarian Fund, with Solidarités International as the implementing partner. The improved water systems are expected to reduce the burden of daily water collection, allowing residents to allocate their time to other essential activities.
Inês, a resident of Micalale village, shared her experience of the challenges faced before the rehabilitation of the water system. She would travel four hours to collect water from low-lying areas 8km away from her community. This left her with little time to care for her children and manage her household. With the rehabilitated water system, Inês and her community can now focus on other opportunities for their families.
Improved access to water in Mueda District has far-reaching benefits beyond convenience. Reliable access to safe water supports better hygiene practices, healthier living conditions, and greater dignity for families who have faced years of hardship. Reducing the need to travel long distances to collect water also lowers protection risks, particularly for women and children, who are often responsible for this task.
The impact of the rehabilitated water systems in Mbue, Micalale, and Lianda is measured not only in litres of water but also in greater safety, improved well-being, and hours regained for school, livelihoods, and family life. These gains are particularly important in northern Mozambique, where years of conflict and displacement have disrupted access to basic services and hindered recovery efforts.
According to the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, an estimated 1.1 million people require humanitarian assistance across conflict-affected districts in Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa provinces. The OCHA-managed humanitarian funding continues to enable partners to respond to urgent needs and help conflict-affected communities rebuild their lives with greater resilience and dignity.
The rehabilitation of the water supply systems in Mueda District is a significant step towards improving the lives of residents in Cabo Delgado Province. With the support of donors, humanitarian partners will continue to respond to urgent needs and support conflict-affected communities in their recovery efforts.
Key points
- Nearly 20,000 people in Mueda District have improved access to safe water following the rehabilitation of three water supply systems.
- The project was made possible through the OCHA-managed Mozambique Humanitarian Fund, with Solidarités International as the implementing partner.
- Improved access to water supports better hygiene practices, healthier living conditions, and greater dignity for families who have faced years of hardship.
