Disinformation on cholera led to Mozambique ferry disaster, officials say
Disinformation on cholera led to Mozambique ferry disaster, officials say The Guardian
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Disinformation Leads to Tragic Ferry Sinking in Mozambique
Disinformation over a cholera outbreak has been blamed for the deaths of almost 100 people after an overcrowded makeshift ferry sank off Mozambique.
At least 96 people, many of them children, drowned with another 26 still missing after the converted fishing boat capsized late on Sunday.
Officials said the vessel was crowded with panicked passengers attempting to flee the mainland after the spread of false narratives over the disease.
The authorities, however, did not elaborate on the origin of the disinformation.
Mozambique, one of the world’s poorest countries, is no stranger to fatalities caused by the deliberate spread of false information relating to cholera.
In January a wave of disinformation about the causes of cholera led to the murder of at least three community leaders and the destruction of 50 houses in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Implications
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The tragic incident highlights the importance of addressing disinformation and promoting accurate information regarding public health issues, such as cholera outbreaks.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Mozambique’s lack of proper infrastructure and overcrowded makeshift ferries contribute to such accidents. Improving transportation infrastructure and ensuring safety measures can help prevent similar incidents in the future.
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The deliberate spread of disinformation leading to violence and loss of life underscores the need for strong institutions that can effectively combat false narratives and protect communities.
Cholera Outbreak and Attempts to Escape
Conspiracy theories have gained traction at a time when the southern African country is battling a genuine cholera outbreak with, according to government data, almost 15,000 cases of cholera and 32 deaths recorded since October.
Nampula province – whose coastline the ferry sank off – is the worst affected region, accounting for a third of all cases.
Officials said the vessel was trying to reach the Island of Mozambique in order to escape reports of the disease.
Jaime Neto, the secretary of state for Nampula province, said: “Because the boat was overcrowded and unsuited to carry passengers, it ended up sinking,” adding that many children were among the dead.
Unverified videos posted on social network X showed many bodies lying on an unidentified beach with some people carrying the bodies of children.
The vessel was an overloaded fishing boat and was not licensed to transport people, Lourenco Machado, an administrator of the Maritime Transport Institute, Instrasmar, said on state television on Monday.
The Island of Mozambique and Mozambique’s Challenges
The island of Mozambique, a trading-post on the route to India, initially used by Arab merchants, was claimed for Portugal by famed explorer Vasco da Gama and gave its name to the country.
Hosting a fortified city and linked to the mainland by a bridge built in the 1960s, the island is listed as a world heritage Site by the UN’s culture agency, Unesco.
Mozambique – which has a long Indian Ocean coastline – was a Portuguese colony until independence in 1975.
With almost two-thirds of the population living in poverty, the country has set high hopes on vast natural gas deposits discovered in Cabo Delgado, in the north, in 2010.
But an insurgency since 2017 waged by militants linked to the Islamic State group has stalled progress. More than 5,000 people have been killed and almost 1 million forced to flee their homes since fighting began.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases | Number of cholera cases and deaths recorded |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements | Presence of disinformation and its impact on public health |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article highlights a cholera outbreak in Mozambique, which is relevant to SDG 3 as it aims to ensure good health and well-being for all. The spread of false narratives about the disease has led to panic and overcrowding on a makeshift ferry, resulting in deaths.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article also mentions the deliberate spread of false information and disinformation about cholera, which has led to fatalities and destruction. This issue is connected to SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases
The article highlights a cholera outbreak in Mozambique, which falls under the target of combating water-borne diseases.
Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements
The deliberate spread of false information and disinformation about cholera in Mozambique is a violation of public access to accurate information. This target aims to ensure access to information and protect fundamental freedoms.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article mentions the number of cholera cases and deaths recorded, which can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards combating water-borne diseases (Target 3.3). Additionally, the presence of disinformation and its impact on public health can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards ensuring public access to information (Target 16.10).
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Source: theguardian.com
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