Help 5 communities restore forests in Mozambique

Cyclone Idai was devestating for central Mozambique. In the area in which MICAIA operates, the communities around the Chimanimani National Reserve, at least 200 people died, whole villages were washed away, and 90% of crops were destroyed. The aid agencies arrived and relief was provided. MICAIA played its part, providing vital food and then agricultural seed to 1,300 familes. 

MICAIA has worked in and around Chimanimani since 2008. The area is one of Mozambique's most important for biodiversity, especially rare plants. The cyclone devastated many areas of forest, not only because of the strong winds, but because of the flood waters that cascaded down from the mountains. 

MICAIA is active in many aspects of recovery, working with thousands of families across the Chimanimani area, helping them rebuild their lives. We also want to work with communitie to being the process of restoring critical forest areas. 

This work is now getting under way in five large communities. We recruited recent graduates from Chimoio to work with community leaders and local people in each community to map the areas to be prioritized for restoration. These include areas now exposed to further erosion and others that are critical in protection of water courses. However, it is the local people who are deciding what will be planted and where. There will be a mix of trees, native species providing multiple benefits (food, medicine, assistance to soil fertility) as well as fruit trees that can provide income for families in the next years. 

The next stage is to buy the seedlings and make them available to communities to start planting. MICAIA staff members and our young student assistants will be on hand to provide technical support through to the end of the year.