The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that around 128,000 people fled, within one week, from the villages of Lúrio and Mazula in the district of Memba, Nampula province, northern Mozambique, following new attacks by extremist groups.
According to an updated report released by Lusa, coordinated attacks by armed groups have intensified in the districts of Memba and Eráti since November 10. Early reports indicate that some homes and a school were set on fire, properties were looted, and civilians were killed, injured, or kidnapped.
“Population displacements are ongoing. It is estimated that 80% of the population of Lúrio and Mazula have fled to nearby forested areas or to other districts. The fear of new attacks and persistent insecurity continues to trigger further movements, as rumors of non-state armed groups spread through the affected areas,” the document states.
The UN agency further reports significant population movements throughout the district of Memba, with residents from neighboring neighborhoods concentrating in Lúrio town, while some families cross the Lúrio River toward the district of Mecúfi in Cabo Delgado province.
“The village of Mazula is practically deserted due to the ongoing attacks. Although no significant concentration has formed in Memba town, gradual departures are observed, with civilians leaving the area due to fear of potential violence,” the report explains. The agency also notes that a small number of internally displaced persons are arriving in the district of Nacala Porto, and vehicle traffic is increasing toward Nampula city. A similar pattern is observed in the administrative post of Namialo, with vehicles transporting families from Eráti and Nacala Porto.
“The humanitarian conditions of the affected population—including those displaced in October and those who have not yet received assistance—continue to deteriorate, while humanitarian partners remain overstretched and under-resourced,” OCHA warned, reiterating that “multiple and overlapping shocks” are placing enormous pressure on local communities’ response capacity and increasing levels of mental distress.
Education authorities reported that classes have been suspended in 33 schools in Chipene and Lúrio, affecting over 18,700 students and 160 teachers since the start of extremist attacks in late September.
Since October 2017, Cabo Delgado—a province rich in natural resources, particularly gas—has been the scene of an armed insurgency that has already caused thousands of deaths and triggered a humanitarian crisis affecting over one million internally displaced persons.
In April, the attacks also spread to the neighboring Niassa province. One of the most severe incidents occurred in the Niassa Reserve and Mariri Environmental Center in the district of Mecula, where non-state armed groups attacked facilities, stole property, destroyed camps, and damaged an aircraft in the park. These acts resulted in the death of at least two people and the displacement of over two thousand individuals, of whom 55% are children.
Source: Diário Económico
