World Vision Mozambique concerned by attacks targeting aid works in Cabo Delgado in Mozambique

• Recent attacks target aid workers in northern Mozambique by non state armed groups;
• Assets such as vehicles, medical and food trucks seized;
• World Vision’s response plan targets 125,000 people and requires US$6.58 million.

PEMBA, 20 May 2024 -- World Vision is extremely concerned that recent attacks in northern Mozambique targeted aid workers, thus disrupting much-needed humanitarian assistance to thousands of people caught in the conflict raging in the province of Cabo Delgado.

“Aid workers were pulled out of Macomia District due to the recent attacks,” said Angelo Pontes, the organization’s Humanitarian Emergency Affairs Manager. He was speaking after discussions on the need to step up efforts to meet the needs of those impacted.  Pontes explained that “We learned firsthand from aid agencies that their operations had to be halted after their staff came under attack. It took some of them days before they were able to make it to safety and reunite with their families in Pemba.  

World Vision warns that this latest development may result in the aggravation of unmet needs of communities already struggling with inadequate shelter, food and water and sanitation. In particular, World Vision fears “for the children who make up more than half of those affected by this conflict and whose state of extreme vulnerability exposes them to added risks, including sexual abuse”, Pontes said.

World Vision is calling for aid agencies’ humanitarian imperative to be fully respected so they

can play their part in alleviating the suffering of the people of Cabo Delgado. The organization, which is about to start interventions in Cabo Delgado, also calls for the protection of aid workers and the redoubling of efforts so peace can be restored in the region. World Vison’s response plan is targeting 125,000 people and requires a funding mobilization of US$6.58 million for food assistance, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, protection, and education. 

The conflict in Cabo Delgado has been ongoing since 2017, causing the death of thousands of people and wreaking havoc in the mineral-rich province.  According to the Government, the humanitarian crisis that unfolded affected, at its peak, an estimated 1.2 million people, the majority of whom are children.