The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Save the Children are to invest $1.5 million in the construction of 40 temporary learning spaces in the provinces of Gaza and Maputo, which were severely affected by flooding earlier this year. The initiative aims to ensure continuity of education for thousands of children whose schools sustained damage.
“This intervention is directly linked to the impacts of the recent floods and extreme weather events that affected Maputo and Gaza provinces. These events caused significant damage to school infrastructure and disrupted the continuity of learning for thousands of children,” a UNICEF source told Lusa.
Gaza and Maputo provinces were among the hardest hit by flooding that swept through Mozambique at the start of the year. The inundations claimed lives, damaged social infrastructure including schools, and prompted emergency measures to keep classes running.
According to UNICEF, the $1.5 million project is financed through the Education Cannot Wait – First Emergency Response mechanism and will be implemented in consortium with the non-governmental organisation Save the Children.
Construction of the 40 temporary learning spaces is expected to take four months, followed by a six-month performance guarantee period. Through this intervention, UNICEF anticipates directly benefiting around 4,000 children.
In addition to the new structures, minor repairs are planned for 30 existing classrooms, which are expected to directly benefit a further 3,000 pupils. In total, the intervention will cover 40 schools and 60 classrooms across Gaza and Maputo provinces.
UNICEF estimates the project will reach approximately 30,000 students in all — 24,000 in Gaza and 6,000 in Maputo. The support package also includes the distribution of teaching and learning materials, as well as dignity kits earmarked for 2,000 girls.
Mozambique is among the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and is regularly struck by floods and tropical cyclones during the rainy season, which runs from October to April. According to earlier data from the National Disaster Risk Management and Reduction Institute (INGD), 314 people have died and more than one million have been affected since the start of the current season, with 19 people reported missing, 361 injured, and widespread damage recorded across roads, bridges, aqueducts, and other public infrastructure.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/07/22/desenvolvimento-2/unicef-e-save-the-children-anunciam-investimento-de-15-m-em-espacos-de-aprendizagem/
