A path to stability through skills development and employment-intensive works in cyclone-hit Mozambique

In Sofalà Province, Lucas Cavelane has found hope and a new beginning in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai. Living in Guara Guara, Búzi District, in a resettlement area for those displaced by Cylone Idai, Lucas faced an uncertain future. Unemployed and relying on temporary jobs, he struggled to secure a stable income.

However, an opportunity for change arrived through the Resilient Multidimensional Recovery Project, a collaborative initiative by the International Labour Organization (ILO), UN-Habitat, and UNESCO, funded by the Italian Development Cooperation Agency (AICS).

Lucas was among 25 selected beneficiaries—both men and women—trained in the production and application of soil-cement blocks. The program provided hands-on training focused on labour-intensive techniques, equipping participants with practical skills to establish sustainable enterprises. By promoting environmentally friendly construction practices, the initiative not only creates jobs and boosts local economies but also supports a just transition towards environmental sustainability.

For Lucas, this training marks a turning point—offering him the opportunity to build a better future for himself and his community.