Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has said it is carrying out roof reinforcement actions on health infrastructure in Mozambique to ensure the country can withstand climate shocks.

Development Diaries reports that the Mogovolas District of northern Mozambique is faced with an ever-present reality of climate shocks that have led to tropical storms, droughts, and floods over time.

Mogovolas was struck by two tropical storms in 2022 – Cyclone Gombe in March and Tropical Storm Ana in January – and both had terrible consequences for the populace as well as the health system in general.

According to MSF, this intervention is to ensure the health infrastructure can withstand cyclones and strong winds and to reduce the risk of roof destruction in the event of such natural disasters.

Logistic Coordinator for MSF’s planetary health project in Mozambique, Hannes Depuydt, said the vision is to ensure health centres remain operational during and after any climate shock.

‘Roof reinforcement in health centres is a vital step toward ensuring the safety of patients, healthcare providers, and the continuity of essential healthcare services during cyclones and strong wind events, especially in this district prone to severe weather’, Hannes said.

He added that the roof reinforcement can contribute to the overall preparedness of health care facilities in the face of natural disasters.

‘We are making sure that the roofs will not fly off during heavy winds by placing braces on both sides of the building with a rigid cable system over the roof that prevents the zinc sheets from flying’, he added.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in 2022, over 736,000 people were impacted by Cyclone Gombe alone, and nearly 130,000 people were displaced as a result.

Mozambique is one of the countries most severely impacted by climate-related disasters worldwide, including floods, droughts, tropical storms, and cyclones.

Photo source: WHO