“While some living in Mozambique are reaping the benefits of the country’s new found growth, more than half of the population continues to live below the poverty line, with the rural populace faring the worst,” United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Magdalena Sepúlveda, said at the end of her first fact-finding mission to the country.

The human rights expert expressed concern in particular about women, children and youth, older persons and persons with disabilities. She noted that women are the most affected by poverty, lagging behind men in practically all social indicators.

Despite “enormous progress” to establish peace and stability, Mozambique continues to be one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 185 out of 187 according to the 2013 UNDP Human Development Report.

“The State must take all measures to ensure that the potential growth from the extractive industries does not violate the rights of the population, and moreover is sustainable, inclusive, and creates jobs and better access to social services for people living in poverty.”

During her eight-day mission, Ms. Sepúlveda met with senior Government officials and representatives of Parliamentary committees, international organizations, donor agencies, financial institutions, academia and a range of civil society and grass root organizations. She also visited communities living in poverty in the provinces of Gaza, Maputo and Zambeiza.

Ms. Sepúlveda urged the authorities to reinvigorate the political will and commitment that led the country to a new era of independence and eventual stability, towards ensuring a better future for all Mozambicans.

“Mozambique must now redouble its efforts to sustain and build on the significant achievements until now, as well as to address the challenges of the future,” she said.

Independent experts, or special rapporteurs, are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back, in an unpaid capacity, on specific human rights themes. Ms. Sepulveda is scheduled to present a report to the Council in June of next year on her findings.

The new HDI figures, launched today in Mexico City by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), combines measures of life expectancy, literacy, school enrollment and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. This year 187 countries and territories were measured.

Norway retained its top position from last year, ahead of Australia and the US, while the Netherlands, Germany, New Zealand, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland and Japan round out the top 10, in that order.

However, when the HDI is adjusted for internal inequalities in health, education and income, the standings of some countries fall significantly. The US falls from 3 to 16 and the Republic of Korea descends from 12 to 28. By contrast, Sweden rises from the seventh to the fourth spot.

“National averages hide large variation in human experiences, and wide disparities remain within countries of both the North and the South,” the report says.

The report, entitled The Rise of the South: Human Progress in a Diverse World, emphasizes the unprecedented growth of developing countries, which is propelling millions out of poverty and reshaping the global system.

According to the report, leading economies in the South such as China, India and Brazil will be the main drivers of economic growth and societal change for the first time in centuries. This growth, however, is not limited to these three countries, and the report spotlights more than 40 other countries that have made greater human development gains in recent decades than what was predicted.

Heavy rains last month led to massive flooding in the southern part of the country, killing 105 people and displacing some 150,000. Hundreds of houses were destroyed and crops and infrastructure severely damaged.

In a news release, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the Government and its partners have already allocated $10 million to cope with the emergency. However, given the scale of the disaster, more resources are required for those who lost everything in the floods.

The funds, $5.13 million in total, will be distributed from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which is managed by OCHA, to various UN agencies to provide basic needs and services such as shelter, food, medical aid, water, sanitation and hygiene, and logistical protection to those in need.

“While much has been done, much more is needed. These CERF funds will go a long way in ensuring that assistance is provided to those who need it most,” said the UN Resident Coordinator in Mozambique, Jennifer Topping.

The World Food Programme (WFP) will receive $2.3 million, and more than $1 million will be allocated to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), respectively. A further $820,000 will be given to a joint UNICEF/UN Population Fund (UNFPA)/World Health Organization (WHO) project.

The CERF allocation will form part of the larger recovery proposal, which seeks $30.6 million from the international community to help those affected by the floods for the next six months. Approximately $5 million in pledges have already been received and OCHA is calling on donors to support these efforts to ensure a quick early recovery and increased community resilience.

Launched in 2006, CERF enables the fast delivery of life-saving assistance to people affected by natural disasters and other crises worldwide. It is funded by voluntary contributions from Member States, non-governmental organizations, regional governments, the private sector and individual donors. Donors have so far pledged more than $383 million for 2013, bringing the total amount contributed to CERF since March 2006 to more than $3.2 billion.