Maputo, Mozambique — A surge of violence in northern Mozambique has uprooted nearly 100,000 individuals in the past two weeks, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The escalating conflict, which began in 2017, has now reached critical proportions, with the displacement figures soaring amidst a dire humanitarian crisis.
The UNHCR’s latest figures reveal a harrowing situation on the ground. Since the conflict’s inception, over 1.3 million people have been displaced, with a staggering 287,000 fleeing in the past three months alone. However, the actual number could be closer to 300,000, indicating a more severe crisis than initially reported.
The violence is no longer confined to Cabo Delgado, as it has now spread into Nampula Province, threatening communities that were previously safe havens for displaced families. Reports of killings, abductions, sexual violence, and the forced recruitment of children by armed groups have become alarmingly common. Civilians are being targeted, and their homes are being torched, leaving them with little more than the clothes on their backs.
The humanitarian situation is dire, with displaced individuals in dire need of food, shelter, and water. However, the capacity of humanitarian and government actors is struggling to keep pace with the rising needs. A $352 million appeal launched by the UNHCR has received less than a fifth of its target, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Vulnerable groups, including children, women and girls, people with disabilities, and older people, are among the most affected. Women and girls, in particular, are exposed to increased risks of domestic and sexual violence. The UNHCR and its partners are providing relief items and assistance, but the lack of funding is severely hampering their efforts.
The context of the conflict is complex. It began in Cabo Delgado in 2017 and has since expanded to all 17 districts in the region. The crisis is further exacerbated by the effects of repeated cyclones, floods, and prolonged drought, which have left the region’s residents already vulnerable.
Expert opinions suggest that the situation is likely to worsen unless urgent action is taken. “The situation in northern Mozambique is a ticking time bomb,” said a senior humanitarian official. “The international community must act now to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.”
The UNHCR is calling on the international community to renew its support for Mozambique, emphasizing the urgent need for funding and resources to address the crisis. As the situation continues to deteriorate, the world watches with bated breath, hoping that the crisis in northern Mozambique does not spiral out of control.
Source: Africa
Additional reporting by ImNews
