Mozambique

The chapter highlights areas that deserve attention to protect vulnerable citizens, including strengthening local-national mechanisms of communication/accountability and clarifying criteria used for decision-making on equitable policies. Also noted are the inappropriate use of funds, unequal fund allocation to the provinces, reduction of funds to social protection and weak inclusive governance. Good practices include the Government of Mozambique’s issue of update reports and the role assigned to the National Institute of Health, enabling greater emphasis on evidence-based/scientific data. Recommendations include a broader perspective on social protection (to help tackle gender and human rights challenges); strengthening focus on informal economy; well-coordinated intersectoral policies (considering health, food, economic, social and security ‘multiple crises’); fair/transparent prioritization criteria for vaccination; policy strategies to guarantee that social protection benefits reach most vulnerable groups and ensuring that COVID-19 response invested resources contribute to poverty alleviation/inclusive growth; and compiling report of all measures implemented (governmental and non-governmental).