Located on the southeastern coast of Africa, Mozambique is bordered by Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, and South Africa. The country provides access to the sea for neighboring landlocked countries along its 1,531 miles of coastline.

Thirty years of guerrilla warfare have taken a heavy toll on Mozambique, one of the poorest countries in the world. At the height of the war in 1992, more than 1 million people had lost their lives and nearly 40 percent of the country’s population were refugees.

The aftereffects have significantly impacted the country’s economy and infrastructure.Extreme flooding and intense drought have further devastated Mozambique’s people, who are now deeply dependent on foreign aid for food and other basic necessities. Roads and railways are few and in need of repair, making the transport of goods difficult.