Group of project beneficiaries next to stacks of soil cement bricks

Multi-Dimensional Resilient Recovery of the Ibo and Buzi Districts

The Multi-Dimensional Resilient Recovery Project in Ibo and Buzi Districts, Mozambique, is a joint initiative by UN-Habitat, ILO, and UNESCO, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). It aims to rebuild communities and local authorities affected by Cyclones Idai and Kenneth, focusing on resilient housing reconstruction, cultural heritage preservation, local economic development, and environmental sustainability. The project integrates labour-intensive construction techniques, skills training, and inclusive community participation to foster long-term recovery and resilience in cyclone- and flood-prone areas.

Project details

Duration

1 February 2022 - 5 February 2025

Development partner(s)

AICS, UNESCO, UN-Habitat, GREPOC, Government of District of Buzi and Government of District of Ibo

Reference

MOZ/21/04/HAB

Location

Mozambique

Contact

[email protected]

Additional details

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Project Summary

Mozambique ranks among the African countries most affected by extreme weather events, with climate change intensifying their frequency and impact. In 2019, the country was struck by two devastating cyclones—Idai and Kenneth—which caused widespread destruction, particularly in Sofala and Cabo Delgado Provinces. Cyclone Idai triggered severe flooding in Buzi, Dondo, and Nhamatanda, displacing over 17,000 families, while Cyclone Kenneth left 90% of homes in Ibo District destroyed, severely impacting livelihoods, infrastructure, and cultural heritage.

To support recovery, the International Labour Organization (ILO), UN-Habitat, and UNESCO, with funding from the Italian Development Cooperation Agency (AICS), launched the Resilient Multidimensional Recovery Project in Buzi and Ibo Districts. The project focuses on:

Sustainable housing reconstruction using local materials.
Skills training for employment and livelihood restoration.
Infrastructure rebuilding in affected communities.
Environmental conservation for long-term resilience.

By adopting an integrated, community-driven approach, the initiative aligns with the Mozambican Government’s Post-Disaster Reconstruction Plan (PREPOC), ensuring inclusive and sustainable recovery for the most vulnerable populations.

Objectives

To promote resilient reconstruction of Ibo and Buzi District through a combination of physical, socio-economic, and cultural-environmental interventions.

Aerial view of brickworks — Members of production units, trained and supported by the ILO's Employment-Intensive Investment Programme, use local resources and skills to produce soil cement bricks and and support the reconstruction process. Buzi, Sofala, Mozambique. 11/2024

Activities

Rapid appraisal of the existing local capacity on EII methods and resilient construction, including assessment of available raw materials for construction.
Implementation of technical workshops for contractors in resilient construction and complementary skills such as community contracting and productive skills for manufacturing of construction materials.
Training workshops for local artisans on construction and manufacturing of materials to create a supply chain for the housing reconstruction process.
Development and printing of a manual on EII and resilient (re)construction for the specific context of Ibo and Buzi District in alignment with the activities of component 3.
Selection of sectors with more potential for HBEs and selection of recipient families.
Application of ILO’s toolkit such as WIND-Work Improvement in Neighbourhood Development and/or WISH Work Improvement for Safe Home.