The Mozambique LNG project, operated by EP Mozambique Área 1 Limitada, has allocated, as part of its Pamoja Tunaweza (Together We Can) initiative, about US$ 500,000 for its program to combat malaria in the district of Palma, Cabo Delgado province.

The 18-month program, implemented by the MASC Foundation, includes vector control, mosquito bite prevention, community sensitization, as well as on-the-job training for 50 community members in Quitunda, Maganja, Mute, Palma-Sede and Olumbe in spraying and community sensitization.

According to a statement from TotalEnergies, in three months of implementing the program, 50 members of these communities are already in training and the door-to-door awareness campaigns have already covered more than 15,000 people.

On the other hand, 1000 mosquito nets were recently delivered to the District Health, Women and Social Action Service of Palma for distribution to the groups most vulnerable to the disease, namely pregnant women and children under five.

In this first phase, the nets are aimed at the communities of Quitunda and Maganja. Tércio Masseque, Vice President for Health, Environment and Safety of TotalEnergies EP Mozambique Area 1 Limitada, stated that "malaria is endemic in Palma and an important cause of mortality. We want to join our efforts with the Government of Mozambique to contribute to reducing the prevalence of malaria in the country and in particular in the district of Palma. Our commitment is to continue to make our contribution to the health and well-being of the communities.

For his part, João Pereira, Executive Director of the CSSM Foundation, said that "we have adopted a model to fight malaria that also aims at sustainability of the interventions. Through a community identification process we have selected 50 members of the communities for on-the-job training, provided by a specialized company. This means that we have 50 jobs created and at the same time locally trained human resources to influence the communities on malaria prevention and combat, also increasing the effectiveness of the programs that will take place in the region."

Fato Sufo Ali, one of the 50 people recruited to implement the malaria program, said, "I am learning many things and we are working with people to improve the environment. On the other hand, I now have a job and this helps to improve my life.