Background and objectives:

The neighborhood of Mafalala is one of the oldest informal settlements in Maputo and is located in a low area affected by underground and pluvial waters. This, combined with an extremely high population density, does not allow for the wide-spread use of improved latrines; this leads to the spread of disease. Experience has also proved that waste management is a fundamental component in ensuring an efficient drainage system.

This project complements two other initiatives in collaboration with the Government of Mozambique: “Cities Without Slums Sub-Regional Programme for Eastern and Southern Africa” and “Slum Upgrading and Vulnerability Reduction in Flood Prone Cities in Mozambique (Maputo, Chókwè, Tete and Quelimane)”.

The main objectives, all targeting the most vulnerable community groups of Mafalala, are to:

• Facilitate access to safe drinking water;
• Reduce sanitation risks by increasing the number of latrines and public lavatories;
• Maintain efficient drainage conditions;
• Set up an effective and sustainable waste management system;
• Strengthen local capacity and health awareness.

Activities:
Main activities include:

• Meeting with partners, collecting materials, additional community consultations and fieldwork;
• Organizing local consultations with the Mafalala community for all areas of interventions, agreeing on management rules and preparing all required maps and related documents;
• Preparing local tenders for the water points, public lavatories and water supply systems;
• Selecting and training all Local Management Teams;
• Acquiring needed equipment;
• Constructing 10 water points and public lavatories and two primary schools;
• Local Management Teams regularly implementing operational, management and monitoring activities within Mafalala;
• Carrying out training for trainers programme and conducting regular courses at DAMBO (CBO);
• Awareness campaigns and related activities.

Results:

• Project designed for the construction of five water points;
• Interest group established at community level, dealing with issues related to water;
• Four hundred poor households who cannot afford an appropriate sanitation system identified;
• Technical study and design documents for latrines elaborated;
• Building contract for rehabilitation of school toilets and construction of market toilets designed;
• Group established to carry out collective cleaning campaigns;
• Five spots identified where waste containers will be placed;
• Two social events held;
• Educational material produced.