Changing lives with language in Mozambique

When providing translation support in a humanitarian crisis, language can protect and change lives.

Inhaltsübersicht

Changing lives with language in Mozambique

Changing lives with language in Mozambique

On March 14 and 15, 2019, Cyclone Idai made landfall in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. The storm affected the lives of millions of people, leaving destruction and flooding in its wake. On April 25, 2019, a second cyclone, Cyclone Kenneth, struck the north of Mozambique, further impacting a country already struggling to recover from a disaster. Much help was needed, and the humanitarian world responded with aid, shelter, and food. But people had another important need: communication.

They needed information about their rights, where to seek and use humanitarian services, and how to stay safe. But they also needed to be able to tell responders what they needed. It’s not enough to hand out information without asking questions. Relief and recovery achieve best results when everyone can participate in the conversation. But this conversation needs to happen in the right language.

That’s ...