UNDP hails Mozambique's progress in fighting poverty

The United Nations Development Program said in a Monday report Mozambique is taking encouraging steps in regard to the Human Development Index.

The report indicated that for the past 34 years the country's index grew at 1.66 percent per year and the life expectancy increased 13.2 years.

Matthias Naab, UNDP acting resident representative in Mozambique, said that despite the progress there is a lot to be done, because Mozambique continues facing serious challenges, such as high poverty rate, limited access to education, limited access to clean water, among others.

"This is a reason why the United Nations will continue providing support in supporting the country's development strategy for the well-being of Mozambican people, our hope is that with combined efforts Mozambique can reach considerable positions when it comes to human development," said Naab.

The Minister of Labor, Jobs and Social Security, Victoria Diogo said that this progress is a reflection of the government reforms implemented for the social well-being.

"This performance is a result of social and economic policies that our government has been implementing supported by the international cooperation partners in order to improve the living conditions of Mozambicans," said the minister.

The government says it recognizes that it is the first time the report includes titles that links jobs, development and well-being, and that her ministry has been giving priority to construction, rehabilitation and the equipping of training institutes, added Diogo.

Mozambique still remains as the lowest Human Development Index country around the world, with a low Gross Domestic Product per capita at no more than 640 U.S. dollars in 2013. Endit