QMAR Mozambique

Mangroves are vital for climate resilience: they buffer coastlines from storms, store large amounts of carbon, and support fisheries and food security. Yet in many regions, including Mozambique, communities depend heavily on mangroves for fuel and construction. This often leads to unsustainable harvesting and altered hydrological conditions, preventing natural regeneration.

This was exactly the case in Quelimane, where large areas of mangrove had degraded due to human pressure and disrupted water flows. Van Oord addressed both the social and environmental drivers of degradation simultaneously. Through hydrological restoration—reopening tidal channels and improving water exchange—the project re‑established the natural conditions needed for mangroves to recover. In parallel, we worked with local households to develop alternative livelihoods, reducing dependence on mangrove logging and improving economic resilience. More than 100 community members have already benefited from these programs, with some even investing in new income-generating assets. 

By restoring healthy mangrove habitat and empowering local communities, the project strengthens climate adaptation by reducing flood risk, enhances carbon sequestration, and builds long-term environmental awareness in the region. It demonstrates how ecological restoration and community engagement can go hand-in-hand to create lasting value for Quelimane.

For a more detailed report of what we did, and the results of our monitoring, please have a look here: https://www.iadc-dredging.com/article/community-based-ecological-mangrove-restoration-in-quelimane-mozambique/