Diocese of Niassa
The Diocese of Niassa is situated in the Northern half of the Republic of Mozambique. HIV prevalence rates among adults aged 15 to 49 is slightly lower in the area covered by the Diocese of Niassa range from 8.6% (in the sparsely populated province of Cabo Delgado) to 9.2% in Nampula to 11.1% in Niassa to 18.4% (in the densely populated province of Zambezia), compared to 16.2% nationally (Portal do Governo de Moçambique 2006).
Approximately 170 congregations now respond to HIV through “Equipas de Vida” (“Teams of Life”)—whose role is to promote life! Among other activities, the Equipas are involved in prevention and education, as well as care for vulnerable children, sick people, and people living with HIV. These teams—made up of volunteers who are putting their faith into action—are responding to HIV at their own initiative, with their own resources, using their own locally-defined strategy. 95% of these congregations are in deeply rural areas spread over 5 provinces in Mozambique (Niassa, Zambezia, Nampula, Cabo Delgado, Tete)—which cover an area of 175,000 mi2. Being extremely isolated, most communities have no other organized HIV-response activities, associations, or organizations. Although Portuguese is the official language of Mozambique, the majority of Mozambicans speak Portuguese as their second language.
Contact Information
| Bishop | The Rt Revd Mark Van Koevering |
| Diocesan HIV & AIDS Coordinator | Ms Rebecca Vander Meulen |
| Diocesan Administrator | Ms Aldina Hobjane |
| Telephone | +258 82 6689990/ +258 82 8948770 |
| Fax | +258 271 21377 |
