
Family gathering: Luisa and Estevao with their children – extreme weather has left them hungry
Excessive rainfall has decimated this year’s harvest for Luisa and her children
“There was big, big rain in October,” says Luisa Valeriano, sitting on a bench outside her home in Nseue, Mozambique. A persistent cough rattles her frame as she explains how the heavy rains decimated her field of crops.
Because she practices intercropping, she had a variety of plants such as maize, pumpkins and beans, all growing together. She sighs in resignation as she acknowledges that she will not be able to harvest any of it now.
Outside, her rail-thin husband Estevao and two of their sons sit or lie listlessly in the shade – they do not have much energy to move in the heat.
Vulnerable to climate change
Their lush and tranquil surroundings, brimming with green and the laughter of schoolchildren nearby, belie the fact that this area is often hit by extreme weather events. According to the World Bank, Mozambique is one of the globe’s countries most vulnerable to climate change. It has experienced severe tropical storms and cyclones which have decimated crops, homes and other infrastructure, often cutting people off from markets, clinics and schools.
Because of all these factors, the government and local community leaders in Cabo Delgado have made a list of families who are most vulnerable. ForAfrika used this list in the districts of Montepuez and Mueda to decide who to assist first with borehole rehabilitation, food rations and other essentials, such as hygiene kits and latrines.
Food assistance
After the loss of crops, Luisa and her family of six were nominated by community leaders to receive food parcels from ForAfrika, GFFO and Humedica.
“What we have received has really helped us,” Luisa says. “But, it was not enough and right now, we don’t have much food.” She gives a nervous laugh. “When the children ask where the food is, we explain the situation. They just have to accept it; there is no food because of all the water.”
Luisa has stored some cassava, a versatile crop that can be prepared in a number of ways, but she says that sometimes it rots in the tropical climate and then she cannot use it.
She has been able to plant some vegetables around her home. These will tide her over until she can come up with a plan to revive her fields.
“I have nothing to do, I just have to wait,” she says wearily.
However, she says that she is very grateful and happy about the borehole that was rehabilitated just near to her home.
“It is really good to have clean water,” she says.