Support for communities in the Niassa Special Reserve region

Support for communities in the Niassa Special Reserve region

A delegation from the Embassy of the United States of America, led by Military Attaché Fergal O’Reilly, recently made a working visit to the Niassa Special Reserve (NSR) to learn about the activities carried out there, especially in the areas of law enforcement, community development and infrastructure. The Lugenda Health Centre, in the locality of Mussoma, in the district of Mecula, received a special visit, which culminated in the donation of a tuk-tuk ambulance, medical supplies, a stretcher and cleaning products. The donation was funded by Spirit of America (SoA) and the United States Department of Defense, as part of the social solidarity activities they carry out in support of disadvantaged communities in various countries.

The ceremony for the handover of the supplies was facilitated by Luwire Wildlife Conservancy, the tourism operator that manages Block L7 of the NSR, where the Lugenda Health Centre is located. Here, Luwire Wildlife Conservancy is involved in building an additional ward that will serve as a maternity waiting home, along with other social projects for the communities. The ambulance will serve not only the community of Mussoma, but also other nearby communities, such as Mucoria, Nansanja and Manhuir.

A delegation from the United States Embassy in Maputo made a special visit to the Lugenda Health Centre, in the locality of Mussoma, in the district of Mecula, where it donated a tuk-tuk ambulance, medical supplies, a stretcher and cleaning products

Those present at the handover of the ambulance and other hospital supplies included members of the Mecula District Government, led by the Permanent Secretary, Júlio Guente, representatives of the NSR (Programme Director Nilton Cuna and Operations Director Peter Trevor), representatives of Luwire Wildlife Conservancy, local community leaders, cultural groups and the local community.

In statements to the local press and those present, the Defence Attaché of the US Embassy said he was pleased with the delivery of the supplies to the Lugenda Health Centre, and hoped that they would contribute to the Centre’s efforts to provide quality health services to the local community.

For his part, the NSR Programme Director thanked SoA for its support to the communities of the Lugenda region, thanks that extended to Luwire for its commitment to building the maternity waiting home, which will benefit the nearby communities. He challenged those in charge of the Centre to strive for the rational and prudent use of the equipment donated, so that it can be used for a long time, and took the opportunity to stress that the ambulance is free to use, and that charging for its use is forbidden.

Speaking on behalf of the District Government and the local communities, the District Permanent Secretary thanked all the partners involved in acquiring the goods, highlighting the great importance they will have for the daily lives of the local population, especially the ambulance, which will be able to help safely transport patients from places far from the Lugenda Health Centre. He also urged the beneficiaries to make rational use of the goods donated, for example by calling on the ambulance only in cases of real need. In addition, he challenged the NSR representatives to create mechanisms so that other tourism operators in the Reserve become involved in similar activities for the benefit of the communities living in the concession areas.

The event ended with a visit to the maternity waiting home, built by Luwire Wildlife Conservancy.