Conflict in Mozambique needs urgent response as families flee to safety
Nearly 300 000 people have already fled violence in the Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, leaving behind their homes and livelihoods as conflict in the area enters its fourth year. With approximately 1 000 Internally Displaced People (IDP’s) estimated to be arriving daily at Paquitequete Beach, JAM International is standing by to assist.
Most IDP’s arriving by boat, are women and young children, majority being hungry, dehydrated and sickly. A JAM staff member reported that a woman had given birth in one of the transporting boats and required urgent attention upon arrival. Another incident relates to the capsizing of a boat, with 74 passengers onboard, where only 20 survivors made it to shore. Many of these people are scared and starving, highlighting the urgent need for emergency food supply as well as health and social support services.
A transitional area has been set up at Paquitequete Beach, “in an attempt to assist arrivals who have expressed interest in going to the neighbouring province of Nampula. Others will be sent to the districts of Montepuez, Ancuabe and Mecufi. Pemba municipality no longer has space for IDP arrivals.” said Pemba mayor, Florete Simba Motarua
This growing humanitarian crisis is being exacerbated by the fact that daily arrivals are now outnumbering aid organizations and their ability to assist. A reported 150 vessels, transporting close to 12 000 IDP’s from the worst-affected areas of conflict, arrived in Pemba between the 16th and 27th of October. Religious organizations are assisting at the reception area, offering light meals and warm drinks but this is not enough. Several cases of diarrhea and other related diseases, including a death due to cholera has already been reported and there is very little adherence to COVID-19 precautions. Clean, portable water is an issue as is the collection of garbage in the area. Nutrition screening is also taking place, with serious cases of malnourishment already identified and dispatched to the Paquitequete health unit.
JAM is appealing for US$ 1 000 000 to meet the urgent needs of displaced people and host communities through the following efforts:
- Emergency food supply for five months
- Emergency response funding to be utilised for water, sanitation and health initiatives
- Supplementary nutritional support for young children
- Non-food items (NFI) and emergency shelter
JAM has an already established partnership with UNICEF in Montepuez. The partnership is a welcome relief to the displaced people and host communities and will be used mainly to deliver Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services to 15 000 people. Despite this partnership, hundreds of thousands of people remain without assistance. JAM requires match funding in order to duplicate these efforts.
Please partner with us to help provide aid to these desperate families.
Ann Pretorius
Global CEO and Co-founder
JAM international
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