Programme Description:

The changing patterns of poverty in Mozambique demonstrate the need for poverty reduction approaches that clearly focus on the most vulnerable social groups. While the Government of Mozambique has been expanding delivery of social assistance to some of the most vulnerable groups in society, over 50% of the population still lives below the poverty line, lacks access to basic social services and protection remains a challenge. The Government has national action plans to address the needs of women and children, including orphaned and vulnerable children, of older people and of people with disabilities. In addition, PARPA II includes a target for coverage of State social assistance within the Human Capital pillar.

Development Goal – UNDAF Outcome: 

UNDAF Outcome 2: Increased access to and use of quality basic services and social protection for the most disadvantaged populations, particularly children, youth and women, to reduce their vulnerability by 2009

JP Outcome: 

UNDAF Outcome 2.5: Social protection safety nets for the most disadvantaged are strengthened and expanded.

JP Outputs and Key Activities:

Outputs:

• National policy and strategy that integrate safety net interventions including cash and material transfers by government and partners and that promote the allocation of adequate budgets for social safety net programmes is formulated.
• A comprehensive model that creates local demand for and access to high quality safety net interventions is established and operationalised in Sofala Province

Activities:

• Provide technical assistance and training to key Government ministries and civil society partners on: (i) creation and/or expansion of social safety nets; (ii) social inclusion; (iii) support to implementation of the new social protection law; and (iv) design of the INAS strategy for social transfers.
• Integrate social protection, saving schemes, conditions of work, HIV and AIDS, development of SME at the local level in selected provinces and provide direct support to government and selected NGOs with basic kits and food baskets to targeted households.
• Support Civil Society Organisations to refer Orphaned and Vulnerable Children to basic services (legal, financial, nutritional, education, health and psycho-social).
• Mapping, costing and impact estimates of Social Protection Programmes and Social Protection Expenditure Review.

Procurement:

Procurement activities will be conducted through participating UN agencies and the national implementation partners.