Thousands of children displaced amidst armed attacks in Mozambique

MAPUTO, 27 February 2024 - At least 35,000 children have been forced to flee their homes over the past few days due to a new surge in fatal armed attacks in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique. They form the majority of just over 67,000 people who have sought refuge in the neighbouring province of Nampula (33 000).

Constância Assusto, 13, explained her terrifying experience: “Our community was attacked when I was coming back from school. I fled. My family also fled, and we were separated for two days. For two days I walked looking for a safe place to stay. I was so scared and not sure what to do. I just followed groups of people who were also fleeing the attacks.”  Fortunately, she reunited with her family two days later when she found them encamped in a school in Nampula. She said her dreams of becoming a nurse were now over as she'd had to abandon school.

The displaced children are desperately short of food, water and shelter.  Thousands have fled the advance of non-state armed groups with a reputation for kidnapping and forcibly recruiting boys, seizing girls and beheading villagers[1].

“We are very concerned at this new displacement of children, most of whom were already living in extreme vulnerability,” said World Vision’s Child Protection Manager, Simione Mhula. “We know from past experience that these girls and boys will be at increased risk, including from kidnap and abuse. We must ensure their protection is a priority in the Government’s response plans, as well as among partners”.

The newly displaced are in dire need of food, shelter and water and sanitation provision. Local authorities are struggling to provide aid, despite their best efforts. Of particular concern is the potential breakout of communicable waterborne diseases such as cholera, which would further burden an already overstretched local health system.

“We have some prepositioned non-food items (shelter and kitchen kits, mosquito nets and water purifiers) this will help, but more, much, much more is needed”, said Angelo Pontes, World Vision Mozambique Humanitarian and Emergency Manager. "We have a number of interventions that focus on helping children in Nampula.  These include referring at-risk vulnerable children to organizations specialized in providing psychosocial support, legal aid, health assistance and advocating with private and public institutions for children to be better protected. We are planning scale up response work with partners and the government. Action is needed today, not tomorrow" added Pontes.

The displacements are driven by an increase in attacks. This follows a period during which hostilities between Government and allied forces and non-state armed groups in Cabo Delgado had significantly declined.  There have been reports of killings and the destruction of homes and government buildings, including a health center, local government building, and the district administrator’s house. Shops have been looted.   

The conflict in Cabo Delgado has been ongoing since 2017, causing the deaths of thousands of people and wreaking havoc in the mineral-rich province.  World Vison’s response plan is targeting 125,000 people, and requires US$6.58 million for food assistance, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, protection and education.

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian and development organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities to reach their full potential by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. In Africa, we operate as three regions - East, West and Southern Africa - in 27 countries. For more information, please visit www.wvi.org/AFRICA or follow us on X @WorldVision.

For further information please contact:

World Vision in Mozambique:

For an interview with one of our spokespersons please contact the following:

Leovigildo Nhampule

Communications & Advocacy Manager  

Mob: +258 84502 7003 | email: leovigildo_nhampule@wvi.org  |

World Vision Southern Africa

Pamela Koloni. Chama

Regional Communications, Advocacy & External Engagement

Mob : 260-211-221955 | email: pamela_chama@wvi.org