Mozambique - Displacement in northern Mozambique - Flash Update No. 3 (As of 27 February 2024) [EN/PT]

HIGHLIGHTS

HIGHLIGHTS

  • A total of 71,681 people have been displaced since 22 December due to attacks or fear of attacks by non-State armed groups (NSAGs), the majority (69 per cent) are women (14K) and children (35K).

  • Close to half of the newly displaced people (33,218 people) have arrived in Erati district in Nampula province after fleeing Chiure district in Cabo Delgado.

  • Humanitarian organisations are supporting 33,000 people with food, shelter & NFIs, WASH and protection in Erati, Nampula. In Macomia some 25,000 people have been assisted with food and up to 3,000 people with NFIs. In Chiure, some 11,000 people have received hygiene and water purification supplies, basic shelter materials, and food. Humanitarian partners have conducted needs assessment of the newly displacement people and are providing food, wash, shelters and health services to reach people in need.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

In December, confrontations between non-State armed groups (NSAGs) and the Security Defence Forces scaled-up, violent attacks against civilians occurred. NSAGs areas of operation have extended beyond Macomia, Mocimboa da Praia and Muidumbe. Starting in February, NSAGs southwards to Quissanga, Metuge, Mecufi and Chiure.

Civilians have been affected, with many being displaced – including people who had returned home – as a result of attacks and fear of attacks by NSAGs. People have been displaced in 12 of 17 districts in Cabo Delgado. The most recent estimates of people displaced IOM/DTM Emergency Tracking Tool of 26 February) indicate that since 22 December 71,681 people had been displaced, the majority are children (35,500) and women (14,500) representing 69 per cent of all people displaced. Since December, people have been fleeing the coastal areas (Mucojo) and northern areas (Chai) to Macomia district headquarters as a result of attacks, military activity and fear of attacks.

People fled within Chiure and towards Namapa and Alua in Erati district in Nampula province following attacks in Mazeze, Chiure Velho and Ocua in Chiure district in February. More than 15,000 people have fled to Chiure headquarters with another 33,234 people who have arrived in Erati district in Nampula province. Displacement from Cabo Delgado to Nampula had not occurred since 2022.

The latest spate of violence has occurred against a background of returns (601,866 people as of January 2024). A total of 540,000 people remain displaced in Cabo Delgado, with the highest number in Pemba City, Metuge and Macomia.

Humanitarian partners are concerned about the further spread of cholera in transit and accommodation sites. Currently, cholera outbreak is ongoing in three provinces (Cabo Delgado, Niassa and Nampula), with 13 active districts (Montepuez, Chiure, Ancuabe, Namuno, Metuge in Cabo Delgado province; Nampula City, Mecuburi, Meconta, Nacaroa, Erati in Nampula province; and, Lichinga, Majune and Chimbonila in Niassa province). As of 22 February, 22,117 cases of cholera with 27 deaths were reported countrywide, since October 2023.