Armed attacks in Cabo Delgado: Displaced people need urgent help

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Armed attacks in Cabo Delgado: Displaced people need urgent help

1:50 CAT | 14 Jan 2019

in file CoM

About 1,000 refugees on Ibo Island who have abandoned their homes and most of their belongings because of the armed attacks in Cabo Delgado, are in need of urgent help.

According to Ibo District Administrator Issa Tarmamade, the Quirimba Island is hosting 120 displaced persons, the village headquarters 450, and another 500 are living on Matemo Island.

“Most people come from the neighbouring district of Macomia and were welcomed by family and friends, while others have had to shelter in the homes of any family willing to help them. They need a bit of everything, especially food and clothing,” Tarmamade says.

In addition to food, the government is concerned about finding shelter for the displaced, some of whom, presently living more than 20 people to a house, are sleeping in the open.

The district government, which is not in a position to help the displaced, has been obliged to launch a solidarity movement in order to prevent hunger and minimize suffering. So far, only the Islamic Community of Cabo Delgado has responded, with a donation of seven tons of various products.

“In this campaign to raise support for the displaced people on Ibo Island, we managed to obtain, from the businessmen of the province, corn flour, rice, oil, and sugar and soap, which we have already delivered to the district government department responsible for distribution,” Zaheer Rahimo, representative of the Islamic Community of Cabo Delgado explained.

The products, according to Tarmamade, will help minimize the suffering of the victims, but are still insufficient to cover the ever-increasing number of displaced.

A spate of attacks by armed groups that started in Cabo Delgado last year has forced hundreds of people to move to towns and cities, leaving villages virtually abandoned behind them.

Source: O País