Nearly 100,000 people, more than half of them children, have been displaced in one month due to an escalation of armed violence in Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique. The new wave of displacements is taking place against the backdrop of a protracted cholera outbreak, heightening the risk of infectious diseases for displaced families and host communities, who share crowded accommodations with poor sanitation.
"It is heartbreaking to see so many women and children traumatized and exhausted," said Catherine Gendre, the Head of the Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Maputo. "We call on all the armed actors to spare civilians from harm and respect their obligations under international humanitarian law."
Some 46,000 people fled from the Chiure district of Cabo Delgado into Nampula province in search of safety. Many families have been separated, and unaccompanied children find themselves highly vulnerable. The ICRC works with the Mozambique Red Cross (CVM) to facilitate phone calls, reconnect families, and register unaccompanied minors.
'Despite several humanitarian organizations' efforts, there is still a desperate shortage of hygiene items, water purification products, mosquito nets, and blankets to alleviate the suffering of the displaced people' - José Campira, CVM Nampula branch Provincial Secretary
The ICRC is supporting CVM's efforts to prevent the spread of cholera by promoting hygiene and distributing household essentials among displaced families. In the past few days, 300 households in Namapa, Erati district, received hygiene kits and household items with support from the Belgian Red Cross, Swedish Red Cross, Spanish Red Cross, and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
In Cabo Delgado, the ICRC conducted rapid assessments of needs in the northern districts, where thousands have been displaced several times since December when violence significantly increased. It will work on emergency interventions to assist the most vulnerable people in these districts, as well as longer-term projects to provide clean water and sanitation.
In Cabo Delgado, the ICRC helps people affected by the armed conflict. In cooperation with the Mozambique Red Cross, it works to reunite separated families, improve access to healthcare, clean water, and sanitation, and improve livelihoods, while promoting the respect of international humanitarian law.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Latest Stories
-
Court sentence man to life imprisonment for murdering girlfriend; daughter
1 min -
Bawumia’s $80 bn value claim for Spotify, false – Dubawa
12 mins -
GBA President calls for transparent and fair December election
27 mins -
November 8 not a public holiday – Interior Ministry
29 mins -
Policies the Church can promote to ensure every birth by a congregant is wanted, not unintended
32 mins -
Next NPP government to build new AG offices in all regions – Godfred Dame
51 mins -
Why corporate leadership can no longer be silent on sustainability
53 mins -
The Keeper’s Music unveils Neyty with new single ‘Most High God’
1 hour -
Bawumia outlines 8 initiatives to create 4 million jobs for youth if elected president
1 hour -
Over 4,000 unpaid teachers demand payment of 16 months arrears from government
1 hour -
I’ve apologised to Gloria Sarfo over flight issues – AMAA Country Director
1 hour -
Ghana nearly lost $9 billion to arbitrary claims in last four years – Attorney General
2 hours -
FWSC responds to CLOGSAG strike declaration, urges return to negotiation
2 hours -
Members contribute to ‘transport’ national team – Volleyball Vice President laments financial struggles
3 hours -
New SHS curriculum provides adaptive learning pathways – EduWatch
3 hours