World Vision is concerned by reports of dozens of missing children following the surge in attacks in northern Mozambique
PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
World Vision is concerned by reports of dozens of missing children following the surge in attacks in northern Mozambique
- Over 70 children reported missing by parents;
- Nearly 30 000 of children in need of humanitarian aid in Erati;
- World Vision calls for child-appropriate and gender-sensitive psychosocial assistance.
MAPUTO, 05 March 2024 - World Vision is calling for all to be done to ensure the safe return to their families of at least 70 children reported missing, following a new wave of armed attacks in the province of Cabo Delgado, in northern Mozambique. Authorities have confirmed that parents and caregivers have lost contact with the children whose whereabouts are unknown to them, after being forced to flee their homes.
“As a child-focused international agency World Vision demands that girls and boys are protected at all costs” urged Angelo Pontes, the organization’s Humanitarian and Emergency Manager. “All of us must do our utmost so children are spared the horrors of this and any conflict. Historically, children are the invisible and yet the most impacted victims in armed conflicts they have nothing to do with. And that is unfortunately what we’re witnessing now” Pontes added.
There are also reports of many unaccompanied children. Luqui, a 15-year-old girl had not seen her parents for two days when she first met with World Vision staff in one of the transit camps she is staying at in Erati, a district in the neighbouring province of Nampula. “Since I abandoned my school and joined other villagers who fled their homes. I didn’t manage to go back home to join my parents and I don’t know where they are”. Luqui is currently one of nearly 30 000 children hosted in transition centers in that region.
Over 60% of the nearly 100 000 people so far displaced in the recent surge in attacks are children and many are currently being hosted in transit camps under dire conditions. World Vision warns that this alone calls for age and gender-sensitive humanitarian interventions.
“Children caught in emergencies are at an increased risk of abuse - emotional, physical and sexual abuse” explains Simione Mhula, World Vision Child Protection Manager. World Vision considers it to be essential that the ongoing humanitarian response to the Cabo Delgado conflict prioritizes mechanisms that allow for any form of abuse to be prevented, reported and responded to. “World Vision’s experience has shown that child-focused, child-friendly approaches are doable, are possible and work, even in the midst of an emergency” adds Mhula. “We ought this to these children”.
A World Vision publication, “Displaced Dreams” (“Sonhos Deslocados”), on the plight of children impacted by the attacks in Cabo Delgado, showed firsthand how children are struggling to cope with the traumas they end to endure after losing their homes and watching their loved ones being killed.
In face of the above World Vision calls for:
-the Government and international community to do all they can so the children reported missing come to no more harm and are reunited with their families;
-child-appropriate and gender-sensitive psychosocial assistance to be part of the Government led humanitarian assistance program aimed at those impacted by the most recent attacks in Cabo Delgado province;
-funding for humanitarian assistance for the thousands of internally displaced to be mobilized and made available as a matter of urgency by the international community and private business operators in the country through the Government of Mozambique and partners;
-national and local preparedness and response plans for Cabo Delgado to have child protection and gender-based violence interventions, mechanisms and services at the center;
-concerted national and international condemnation of the traumatizing horrors children are being subjected to in Cabo Delgado province;
-faith actors to bolster ongoing social cohesion and peace-building activities, especially for children and youth.
ENDS.
Notes to Editor:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian and development organisation 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