Maputo, 14 Aug (AIM) – Mozambique’s relief agency, the National Disaster Management Institute (INGD), in coordination with its partners, is drawing up strategies in order to support the internally displaced victims of Islamist terrorism in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
According to INGD deputy chairperson, Gabriel Monteiro, who was speaking at a Seminar on Harmonizing Post-Disaster Preparedness, Response and Reconstruction in the Context of Internal Displacement in Mozambique, held in the southern municipality of Marracuene, the suffering of the displaced is seen as a major challenge for the authorities.
Monteiro said the displacement caused by terrorism differs from the displacement caused by natural disasters, which allows for the early and coordinated mobilization of resources to mitigate the risk, given prior information.
“When it comes to natural disasters, we identify areas in advance, talk to the population and design intervention strategies. In the case of internally displaced people, we don’t have that facility. They arrived today and found a situation that requires a rapid response”, he said.
However, he said, it is possible to minimize the situation “thanks to the collaboration of strategic partners in the sector, particularly the International Organization for Migration (IOM).”
“Fortunately, we have cooperation with UN partners who help minimize the shocks. That’s why today there are internally displaced people with economic activities”, he said.
According to the INGD, there are currently around 1.2 million internally displaced people in Cabo Delgado, most of whom have come from areas severely affected by terrorism. Of this figure, 600,000 people have already returned to their areas of origin.
According to Monteiro, it has been difficult to normalize the situation, as it requires a great deal of work to alleviate the trauma that the victims face as a result of the atrocities committed by the terrorists.
“It’s been a huge effort. Today, people are returning thanks to the improved situation on the ground. I think we’ve given a good response, the situation isn’t over yet, but with the improvement in security in that area, things are getting better”, he said.
For her part, the IOM representative in Mozambique, Sascha Nlabu, said that dealing with vulnerability and internal displacement in Mozambique requires a comprehensive approach, integrating disaster risk management into broader development planning to mitigate the adverse effects of disasters and climate change.
“In line with the IOM Global Strategic Plan for 2024-2028, we seek to address the drivers of conflict and disaster displacement, working to save lives and protect migrants, as well as facilitating pathways for regular migration and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals”, she said.
She also pledged that IOM will continue to collaborate closely with the INGD and other government entities to support affected communities and migrants across the country in various areas.
(AIM)
Pc/Ad/pf (466)
