Mozambique: Dispersed Palma refugees transported to Afungi – Lusa

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Mozambique: Dispersed Palma refugees transported to Afungi – Lusa

1:18 CAT | 05 Apr 2021

FILE - For illustration purposes only. IDPs from Palma in Pemba. [File photo: Lusa]

Mozambican forces are transporting residents scattered by the attacks on Palma to Quitunda, on the Afungi peninsula, two people who left the site on Sunday told Lusa.

According to the two sources, who flew from Palma to Pemba on Sunday morning, the Quitunda area and the Total precinct, just six kilometres south of Palma, remain safe.

People hiding in the surrounding areas were being transported there by helicopter, and vehicles were also being mobilised to collect them.

The United Nations on Friday quoted oil company Total as reporting that there were 23,000 refugees in Quitunda, near the company’s premises.

Those arriving in Pemba all paint the same picture: one of many people in the area all lacking basic necessities, including food.

Some of the displaced in Quitunda, still apprehensive on account of their proximity to Palma, had set off on foot in a southwest direction for Mueda, about 140 kilometres away.

The same sources reported that, during their escape from Palma, they saw navy vessels off the Afungi peninsula, but were unable to give further details.

For the second consecutive day, the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service aircraft parked in Pemba did not operate on Sunday.

The plane was previously making five trips a day between Pemba and Afungi, evacuating the most vulnerable among the displaced, but people linked to the operation told Lusa that the comprehensive departure by Total had left the service without the technical requirements for conducting flights.

Despite many attempts, Lusa was unable to obtain clarification either from Total, the UN or Mozambique’s National Institute for Disaster Management on any possible continuation of rescue operations.

A spokesman for the Armed Forces and Defence of Mozambique (FADM) referred to a later date any further information on military operations in Palma.

Source: Lusa