Mozambique: Sofala Bank artisanal fisheries project

BFFS components

The goals of the JP components are to:

• Improve the provision of basic health care and knowledge of nutrition and sanitation
• Construct and equip primary schools
• Improve access to clean drinking water and create functioning water management committees
• Help set up community-based savings and credit facilities

This successful project is likely to reach 100 per cent disbursement of BFFS funds by the time of its completion. As the project moves towards closure, the focus of BFFS’ input has shifted to completing social infrastructure works; schools, health centres and water points. The following information is drawn from the progress report of December 2009.

Education

The project has constructed 7 schools and equipped them with desks. Houses for the teachers and water tanks have also been constructed for each school. In each case local management committees of community projects have been set up to ensure the maintenance of these buildings.

Health

Eight health centres have been constructed and equipped, along with houses for the health facility staff. As with the schools, local management committees have been formed and supported to carry forward maintenance of the infrastructure.

Water

Twenty-six water points have been constructed and 18 new water committees were created and trained, while 12 received refresher courses for improved management.

Credit

Fishing communities have long suffered from lack of access to microfinance. The community-based savings and credit activities have been the most successful component in the project and the new IFAD project ProPESCA will build on the positive experiences of these activities.