Famine and drought cause wave of displaced people in central Mozambique

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Famine and drought cause wave of displaced people in central Mozambique

1:25 CAT | 28 Mar 2016

Lusa (File photo)

Famine and drought are causing a new wave of displaced persons in the provinces of Sofala and Manica in central Mozambique, with hundreds of people leaving their homes in search of more fertile land, a source of the state told Lusa on Thursday.

At least 65 families, totalling 360 people, have left Maringué district in Sofala province for the Barué district of Manica in search of better living conditions and fertile land for agriculture, after drought destroyed any hopes of a harvest.

“In 15 days we have seen a large movement of people from Maringué to Barué due to food shortages and in search of fertile land,” National Institute of Disaster Management (INGC) Manica delegate João Vaz told Lusa, adding that most of the displaced had left with only a bag of clothes.

In response to the situation, the government of Manica has opened a temporary reception centre in the Inhazonia region, north of Catandica, the headquarters of Barué district, where 45 tents to accommodate the displaced have been pitched.

At the same time, the INGC has distributed food and water treatment products and assigned families plots in the camp.

“Every day we are getting more displaced people and support will also be coming” Vaz said, adding that local authorities were surprised by the waves of displaced and have were looking for solutions.

“All displaced persons will be accommodated, but if when conditions improve they prefer to return to Maringué there will be no problem,” Vaz said. The displaced will also receive seeds and tools such as hoes and machetes to get them cultivating again.

Maringué is a Mozambique National Resistance (Renamo) stronghold and has a history of military unrest. In 2013, it became a “ghost district” following heavy clashes between government forces and the opposition’s armed wing.

Political tension in Mozambique has not ceased as a result of the October 2014 elections, and certainly not in Maringué, which Afonso Dhlakama, leader and former resident, has presented as an example of the Renamo governance promised for this month.

Source: Lusa