HIV/AIDS represents a significant obstacle to development in Mozambique. Terre des Hommes (Tdh) helps orphaned children rebuild a family unit and take their place in society.


Solutions proposed by Terre des hommes

Protection, psychosocial and family rehabilitation – In the province of Sofala, where 23% of the population is infected with HIV, Tdh supports the community in looking after children orphaned by AIDS. The objectives are to protect children from abuse, to help rebuild family and social links, and to improve access to basic health and social services. Tdh also support the development of income-generating micro-projects. The whole community is involved in actions to raise awareness about the virus, and groups are created to support children.

Emergency aid following floods – In 2007 and 2008, the province of Sofala experienced floods and a deadly cyclone. More than 100,000 people were affected. Tdh supported the local government and distributed emergency aid.


Results achieved in 2008

Protection, psychosocial and family rehabilitation – Tdh and its partners have identified 536 orphans and/or vulnerable children aged 0 to 15. Orphans were integrated into foster families. 276 families took advantage of income-generating micro-projects to rear animals or crow crops. 20 community networks (of 100 people each) were set up to offer psychosocial and economic support to families affected by the virus, in particular through home care. Improved access to healthcare benefited 1500 adults and children affected by HIV/AIDS and their relatives. In addition, the project enabled 7780 children to be issued with birth certificates.

Emergency aid following floods – More than 1000 families received food aid, seeds, and materials for farming and reconstruction.


Challenges to be taken up

Protection, psychosocial and family rehabilitation – Tdh aims to strengthen the mechanisms for protecting orphans and vulnerable children. Since 2009, the project has also been implemented in urban areas. More than 7000 orphans and vulnerable children have been identified in the town of Beira alone. Most of these children come from rural areas where Tdh also operates. Now that patients increasingly have access to antiretroviral drugs at public health centres, Tdh’s efforts have been directed more towards psychosocial support for orphans and vulnerable children, and, in particular, towards their rehabilitation and reintegration into their communities of origin.


The future for orphans: community foster families

Interview with Tdh country delegate in Mozambique, Frédéric Baele

In general, what is the situation for children in Mozambique, and, in particular, for orphans and vulnerable children?
«The HIV pandemic has had a huge impact in Mozambique. The illness affects both young people and adults. When deaths occur, families have to be rebuilt, and children often end up being looked after by grandparents or another family member. Children are the hardest hit by the illness, death and absence of their parents. With AIDS, the parent-child relationship breaks down, leaving children vulnerable and impoverished, but also, sometimes, creating new families links. The situation for children in Mozambique is very difficult. That is why not only do we need to help with survival and give social, economic and psychosocial support, but we also need to develop more inventive strategies for the future, so we can create a generation free from HIV!»

What is the value-added that Tdh brings to the psychosocial support of children?
«Tdh’s humanitarian interventions enable reconstituted families to get access to health provision and to improve children’s prospects by keeping them in school. Tdh plays a vital role as “facilitator”, making use of community networks to provide child protection and care for the chronically ill, and strengthening state interventions within communities. The real value-added that Tdh brings is using communities and existing structures to deliver psychosocial and economic support to children.»