diseases caused by poor sanitation, while another 300 million Africans have no access to clean water. For Mozambique in 1992, around a fifth of the country’s households had access to potable water and the situation for wastewater provision was even worse. This was a serious public health issue in an area where cholera, dysentery and other water-borne diseases are endemic. With the inauguration of the new water treatment plant at Mutua in May 2007, an important milestone was passed in Mozambique’s ambitious drive towards improving its provision of potable water and sanitation. Doubling the supply of water to the cities of Beira and Dondo, the plant was opened by the country’s President Armando Emílio Guebuza the day after he formally launched the next stage of the project to deal with Beira’s sewage. Construction of the Beira treatment plant was carried out during a period of 30 months and was completed in June 2012. This latest part of the scheme consists of rehabilitating the existing sanitation network, together with the construction of a number of new system elements to extend and upgrade the sewers, wastewater treatment facilities and a drainage system. The new water plant cost €5.6m, while the Beira sanitation system cost €62.65m, with the EU providing €52.95m, and the remaining €9.7m provided by the Mozambique Government. Demographics Transportation Beira has long been a major trade point for exports coming in and out of Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and other Southern African nations. Because of this, the port of Beira is the second largest in Mozambique. The importance of the port was shown during the Mozambique Civil War, when Zimbabwean troops protected the Beira–Bulawayo railway and Beira to Mutare highway in order to continue trade. The railway to Zimbabwe was originally in 1890, but was converted to in 1900. In 2008, the Mozambique transportation minister, Paulo Zucula, stated that the government is planning on modernizing the Beira and more northern Nacala ports for an estimated cost of $900m; $500m and 400m respectively. The government has also stated that it plans on modernizing surrounding railway and highway infrastructure so that the port is better connected to the nation's mines. There is also a ferry service in Beira, linking the city to neighboring cities, including Nova Sofala and other coastal towns. Beira is served by an airport to the northeast of the city, with both domestic and international flights. Education The city has