The United Nations' refugee chief has issued a new alert regarding the dire situation in Mozambique, where over 780,000 people have been displaced. The majority of these displacements are a result of a seven-year insurgency by a jihadi group in the northern part of the country, causing significant turmoil in the region.
The UN's high commissioner for refugees recently visited Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province, where an Islamic State-affiliated group has been carrying out attacks since 2017. These attacks have led to the displacement of approximately 1.3 million people, with around 600,000 individuals having returned to devastated communities where essential infrastructure has been destroyed.
Recent upsurges in attacks by the Islamic State Mozambique group have resulted in 80,000 new displacements since January, bringing the total number of displaced individuals in Mozambique to over three quarters of a million. Some estimates suggest that the actual number of displaced people may be closer to 100,000, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
Of the displaced population, around 700,000 individuals are in Cabo Delgado, while an additional 80,000 are in the central Sofala province, which was severely impacted by Cyclone Idai in 2019. The UN has emphasized the urgent need for sustained international support to address the humanitarian crisis in Mozambique.
The UN's humanitarian plan in Mozambique is facing a significant funding gap, requiring $400 million to assist those in need this year. However, only 5% of the necessary funds have been pledged so far, underscoring the urgent need for additional resources to support the affected population.
Efforts are underway to mobilize support and resources for Mozambique, with calls for increased international involvement to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in the country.
Sources: AP Africa news
