The Foundation for Community Development (FDC) has expressed “deep concern” about the increase in violations against children in areas affected by terrorism in the province of Cabo Delgado, in northern Mozambique, as reported by the Mozambique Information Agency (AIM).
The Mozambican non-governmental organization says that the escalation of violence has significantly worsened the living conditions of thousands of minors, causing forced displacement, increased malnutrition, school dropouts, early marriages, sexual abuse, and even the recruitment of children by armed groups.
According to the FDC, this position is shared by 116 other Mozambican civil society organizations that are monitoring the humanitarian situation in the areas affected by the conflict.
“Thousands of children currently face precarious conditions in resettlement centers, with limited access to education, food, and drinking water, and many remain undocumented,” said Mirna Chitsungo, the organization’s communications officer, in statements to the press.
In view of the worsening situation, the organizations are calling on the government to strengthen child protection mechanisms and ensure that those responsible for violations are held accountable.
According to Chitsungo, it is also necessary to prioritize investments in sectors critical to the social recovery of affected communities. “It is essential to prioritize investments in education, psychosocial support, and the reintegration of children affected by the conflict,” she stressed.
She added that this initiative marks the beginning of a series of advocacy actions aimed at promoting the protection of children in Cabo Delgado. The next step will be the formal delivery of the organizations’ joint position to the government and various state institutions, both at the provincial and central levels.
Among the entities that are expected to receive the document are the Assembly of the Republic, the Ombudsman, and the Defense and Security Forces. Meanwhile, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has also expressed concern about the increase in cases of abduction of minors by armed groups in the region.
Data from the organization indicate that 77% of Mozambican children (citizens under the age of 18) live in poverty. Among girls, one in four will have suffered physical violence before reaching the age of 18.
In total, it is estimated that of the approximately 16.4 million children in the country, approximately 13 million live in poverty, whether monetary, multidimensional, or a combination of both.
