Mozambique: UNHCR finds improved security in Cabo Delgado – AIM

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Mozambique: UNHCR finds improved security in Cabo Delgado – AIM

9:52 CAT | 25 Oct 2021

FILE PHOTO: Twitter / @UNHCRMozambique

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) announced on Friday that there has been a slight increase in the number of people forced to flee their homes in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado due to violence by non-state armed groups (which are locally known as the islamist terrorist group Al-Shabab).

In its monthly situation report [Mozambique – Update, Northern Mozambique Situation, September 2021], UNHCR states that over 745,000 people have been displaced and reiterates its concern “for the protection and humanitarian needs of displaced people and host communities”. In September, the organisation estimated that there were over 732,000 displaced people as of April 2021.

Despite the small increase in people fleeing the terrorists, there are significant signs that the situation is improving. The Mozambican security forces and their allies from SADC and Rwanda have continued to consolidate control over areas previously contested by terrorists.

Thus, UNHCR notes that the United Nations team in Cabo Delgado on 6 September conducted a rapid security assessment in Palma and nearby areas and concluded that humanitarian missions can take place in various neighbourhoods in Palma including Afungi, Palma town, Quitunda, and Quionga without military escorts.

However, it states that “despite advances by Mozambican and allied military forces, returns of displaced families to areas of origin should only take place when all security conditions are met, and services restored to enable a sustainable and dignified re-integration of Internally Displaced People in line with accepted standards”.

In addition, the agency laments that it does not have sufficient resources to carry out its activities, noting that its financial requirements for refugees and internally displaced people in Mozambique this year runs at 25.7 million dollars, of which it has only received 65 per cent by the end of September. The main donors to this work are the United States (7.2 million dollars), the European Union’s ECHO fund (1.6 million dollars), Sweden (840,000 dollars), and Denmark (766,800 dollars)

Read / download UNHCR’s Mozambique – Update, Northern Mozambique Situation, September 2021 HERE

Tomorrow the world celebrates the #UNDay 🇺🇳

Let’s celebrate the efforts of host communities, authorities, and humanitarians who assist vulnerable people, including #ForciblyDisplacedPersons pic.twitter.com/20GzWYcoro

— UNHCR Mozambique (@UNHCRMozambique) October 23, 2021