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The humanitarian response in Mozambique

29/03/2010 By Velina G. Stoianova

Mozambique is extremely vulnerable to water-related natural disasters such as floods, droughts and tropical cyclones. Until now, most Spanish cooperation has focused on relief aid in urgent situations. It has also been highly dependent on Official Development Assistance (ODA) since the end of the 1980s. The country receives over 500 million Euros in development aid each year. ODA represents between 20 and 30 per cent of Mozambique’s GDP and 50 per cent of the government’s budget. A high number of donors (more than 20 bilaterals and over 25 multilaterals) are active in the country and most of their ODA is channelled through the mechanism of direct budget support.

This report by Velina Stoianova analyses Spain’s response to a specific situation, the floods in Mozambique in 2007 and 2008. Among other factors, the author indicates that although the Spanish response to these crises was appropriate, one would expect that Spain would evaluate whether the timely distribution of emergency supplies is the most appropriate means of having a positive effect on national structures, and that it may be a good idea to develop a plan to provide structural support to the capabilities of the Mozambican government, following the pattern of other donors from the Development Assistance Committee of the OCDE.

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Keywords

Aid effectiveness Development cooperation Humanitarian action Mozambique

Bio author: Velina G. Stoianova

Holds a BA in Political Science and Public Administration, with a specialisation in International Relations, from the Universidad Autónoma of Barcelona. She has done studies on the analysis and management of conflicts in the Balkans, the Near East and the Maghreb.