TotalEnergies supports the fight against malaria in Palma

The Mozambique LNG project, operated by TotalEnergies EP Mozambique Area 1 Limitada, allocated, under its Pamoja Tunaweza (Together We Can) initiative, around US$500,000 for its program for fighting malaria in the District of Palma, in the Cabo Delgado Province, in Mozambique. The 18-month programme, implemented by MASC Foundation, comprises vector control, prevention of mosquito bites, community awareness, as well as on-the-job training for 50 members of the communities of Quitunda, Maganja, Mute, Palma – Sede and Olumbe in matters of spraying and community awareness.

In 3 months of implementation of the programme, 50 members of the communities are already undergoing training and the door-to-door awareness campaigns have already covered more than 15,000 people. On the other hand, 1,000 mosquito nets were recently delivered to the District Service of Health, Women and Social Action of Palma for distribution to the groups most vulnerable to the disease, namely pregnant women, and children under five years of age. In this first phase, the nets are intended for the communities of Quitunda and Maganja.

Tércio Masseque, Vice-President for Health, Environment and Safety at TotalEnergies EP Mozambique Area 1 Limitada, said that “malaria is endemic in Palma and a cause of mortality. We would like to join our efforts with those of the Government of Mozambique to contribute to reducing the prevalence of malaria in the country and in the District of Palma. Our commitment is to continue to make our contribution to the health and well-being of communities. In fact, although our Mozambique LNG project is in Force Majeure and, therefore, with our activities suspended, we continue, through our implementing partners, to develop socio-economic projects, with a view to contributing to the sustainable development of the country and Cabo Delgado in particular. These projects cover, among others, the areas of education, health, biodiversity, agriculture, and fisheries.”

In turn, João Pereira, Executive Director of MASC Foundation, stated that “we have adopted a model for fighting malaria that also aims at the sustainability of interventions. Through a process of community identification, we 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, human resources trained locally to influence communities for preventing and fighting malaria, also increasing the effectiveness of programs that will be carried out in the region.”

Fato Sufo Ali, one of the 50 people recruited to implement the malaria program, said: “I am learning a lot 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.”