Mozambique: UN warns of ‘extremely critical’ humanitarian situation in Cabo Delgado

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Mozambique: UN warns of ‘extremely critical’ humanitarian situation in Cabo Delgado

4:31 CAT | 28 Dec 2020

File photo: Lusa

The UN resident coordinator in Mozambique on Monday described the humanitarian situation in Cabo Delgado as extremely critical, pointing to shelter and food as the main needs of people displaced by armed violence.

“The situation of displaced people and host communities is extremely critical. We are very concerned, there are several children with clear evidence of malnutrition, there is a lack of shelter and clean water,” Myrta Kaulard said in an interview with Lusa in Maputo.

To meet the needs of those affected, the UN launched last week an appeal for $254 million (€208 million) to meet the needs of 1.1 million people over the next year, including those who have taken refuge in the provinces of Niassa and Nampula, neighbouring Cabo Delgado.

“The needs are increasing, we started the year 2020 with 90,000 displaced people and now we have more than half a million,” said Myrta Kaulard.

Food security and shelter are among the main focal points in the UN’s assistance plan, with $136 million (€111 million) and $28 million (€23 million) respectively of the $254 million needed.

In June, the UN launched an appeal and was able to mobilise $43.5 million (€35 million), over the $35.5 million (€30 million) requested for the rapid response plan in Cabo Delgado.

“The international community responded very well to our June appeal and we were able to assist nearly 400,000 people. But now the situation is worse and even as we speak we have people who are fleeing from the areas where they live, from their villages,” said Myrta Kaulard, adding that the pressure is greater now because, due to the crisis caused by Covid-19, the international community has few resources.

“We are very concerned that this situation may cause more pressure and tension between the welcoming communities and the displaced. The situation is more complicated particularly for young people, who may become more vulnerable to speeches and manipulation by the terrorists themselves,” she said.

In #Mozambique, for the 400,000 people who escaped violence with nothing but their clothes on their backs, humanitarian aid is crucial.

5 facts about #CaboDelgado👇 pic.twitter.com/NhmoDCbJRI

— WFP Africa (@WFP_Africa) December 27, 2020

The armed violence in Cabo Delgado, where the largest private multinational investment in Africa is taking place, for the exploitation of natural gas, is causing a humanitarian crisis with more than 2,000 deaths and 560,000 displaced people, without housing or food, mainly concentrated in the provincial capital, Pemba.

Some of the incursions have been claimed by the fundamentalist group Islamic State since 2019.

Source: Lusa