Island of Mozambique

• Need for a detailed programme for the recuperation of the island
• Storm in 1994

1. Background

At the eighteenth session of the World Heritage Committee, a report on the state of conservation of Ihla de Mozambique was presented. The report was part of the Systematic Monitoring Exercise, undertaken in collaboration with the, then existent, UNDP/Unesco Regional Project for Cultural, Urban and Environmental Heritage, Lima (1991-1994). Subsequently, the Government of Mozambique requested a mission, whose task was to:

• make the necessary arrangements to prepare an "international call" for "funding" a global rehabilitation programme - on the basis of concrete projects in restoration "infrastructure, housing, economic activities (including tourism)".
• Draw up a list of urgent conservation works to be undertaken in the Island.

The World Heritage Centre, in consultation with the authorities, fielded a mission to Mozambique in July 1995. The main findings are summarized below.

2. Present situation

The economic base of the Island remains precarious - reflecting the overall situation in the country. The cyclone in 1993 has seriously affected the built-architecture and urban fabric of the Island. The Ihla always had two kinds of distinct habitations (North : stone/lime and the city of Straw-Macuti); they are in precarious conditions. Self-help projects in Macuti City and some parts of the Stone City are underway. The infrastructure of the Island in water/sanitation, drinking water, sewage system, adequate electricity - energy, transport and communication is below the poverty line. So is the situation of ill-housing, including some squatters in the Stone City, environmental problems on beaches (waste disposal and defecation on the beaches); garbage collection. The human element of the Island is enthusiastic - good - willing, with a desire to rehabilitate their Island and conserve their heritage.

Some bilateral projects OIKOS (EU) for boat construction, water - sanitation (Switzerland - Canada - France) are in their initial stages with relatively good results.

3. Funding

All funding for the Island at present is international. No substantial matching fund in cash or even in kind are available. The mission met with the donor community. Generally there is a "Donor Fatigue" and set of priorities. However, with the Prime Minister's statement of political will following the mission's visit, there is good hope for joint ventures with the Mozambique authorities for a future Sustainable - Urban Integral Cultural Heritage Project with different components.

As to Monitoring, with the exception of the systematic exercise carried out in 1994, there is no monitoring in place and there cannot be - until such time that a management/project execution office is put in place in the Island in situ.

4. Outcome of the mission

The consultants have provided the outline of a programme which includes:

1) Physical restoration and maintenance programme of the Cultural Heritage;

2) Economic sustainability;

3) Rehabilitation of the human settlement;

4) Infrastructure, habitat, environment;

5) Education/training of local artisans.

This "Comprehensive - Integral - Sustainable Conservation and Rehabilitation" Agenda has to be set up for the Island (1995­2000), and funded by external donors. The mission already identified a series of projects within the Integral Conservation Programme. These include :

a) The urban pattern gardens, squares and street furniture, sea-front and beaches.

b) Monuments and Public Buildings (Restoration and readaptive use)

•  Adaptation of the Fortress - readaptive use
• The palazzo - now a museum
• The Custom's house - Al Fandinga
• The warehouses
• Church of Misericordia
• The School of Arts and Crafts
•  The mosque and market place
• The hospital
• Upgrading residential monumental buildings.

c) Infrastructure (water, sewage, electricity, environment, transport, etc).

The Bureau may wish to recommend the Committee to adopt the following:

"The Committee requested the World Heritage Centre to follow up with the Government of Mozambique on the results of the mission, and ensure that detailed architectural drawings are prepared in order to submit these to donor countries for small-scale restoration projects (funds are available for this action). The Committee also encouraged the Government of Mozambique to submit a technical cooperation request in order to prepare detailed projects with cost estimates for the restoration of each monument and the basic infrastructure of the Island."