Reconstruction after the cyclone in southern Africa: KfW supports Mozambique with EUR 14 million

• Repair of destroyed infrastructure
• EUR 6 million for weatherproof construction of schools

On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), KfW is providing EUR 14 million for various reconstruction measures in Mozambique following the devastation caused by Cyclone Idai. The funds will be used mainly to repair destroyed schools, rebuild municipal infrastructure such as the drinking water supply and roads in various municipalities and restore the Mavuzi and Chicamba hydroelectric power stations in Manica Province. In Beira, the aim is to restore the “green” infrastructure along the Chiveve River by reforesting the mangroves. 3,500 classrooms in around 600 schools were completely or partially destroyed by the storm, particularly in Sofala province. 335,000 children are currently attending school outdoors and in tents. Much of the total budget of EUR 6 million will therefore be devoted to the reconstruction of classrooms and administrative and sanitary facilities as part of an integrated approach. The new design ensures that the buildings are more resistant to future storms and floods, for example thanks to more stable roof structures.

“KfW is supporting the rapid reconstruction following the cyclones in Mozambique so that the people affected can be given relief as quickly as possible from the serious impacts of climate change. The measures also aim to mitigate the effects of future extreme weather events such as floods, cyclones and other disasters,” said Prof. Joachim Nagel, Member of the Executive Board of KfW Group.

In Mozambique, an area the size of the Saarland in Germany was flooded for several weeks in mid-March after the first cyclone Idai. In this situation, a flood barrier financed by the German Federal Government through KfW Development Bank prevented more serious flood damage. The barrier protected the Beira city centre from prolonged flooding.

Information about KfW Development Bank can be found at www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de/International-financing/KfW-Entwicklungsbank/.