Violence hampering relief efforts after Cyclone Chido
It’s only a few weeks since Cyclone Chido caused mass destruction and loss for so many people in the region, and the escalation in violence is making it even harder for people to receive the support that they urgently need in the wake of the disaster.
For those in the northern parts of Mozambique, this all comes on top of an ongoing context of attacks by armed groups which have displaced hundreds of thousands of people in Cabo Delgado since 2017.
Impact on neighbouring Malawi
In neighbouring Malawi, more than 5 million people already require humanitarian support due to the drought in the last farming season. Now, an influx of thousands of people arriving from Mozambique in need of shelter, food, water and access to medical provision, is placing further pressure on already stretched resources.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports: ‘Many walked long distances... Among them are pregnant women, the elderly and children who have had little food to eat... Shelters are overcrowded, sanitation facilities are inadequate, and access to food and clean water is insufficient. Over 1,000 people are sharing a single latrine at some sites, significantly increasing the risk of disease.’
Landlocked Malawi also relies on the ports in Mozambique, South Africa and Tanzania for transportation of goods. The violence in Mozambique has meant disruption to supply chains, including for fuel, which saw filling stations in Malawi running dry for some days over the festive period.
Tearfund and the church in Mozambique calling for peace
Judas Massingue, who heads up Tearfund’s work in Mozambique, spoke to us about Tearfund’s response to the situation. He says: ‘God has been faithful and granted protection to Tearfund’s team and partners in Mozambique. However, we stand in solidarity with the team at World Vision whose office in one of the districts in Nampula province was vandalised.
‘Tearfund in Mozambique has been supporting the Mozambique Christian Council and the Mozambique Evangelical Association in their efforts to help restore peace in Mozambique.
‘So far, meetings have been held with the Head of State as well as with the main parties that participated in the elections to discuss pathways for restoration of peace.
‘Early in December 2024, the Mozambique Christian Council and the Mozambique Evangelical Association wrote a letter to the leadership of the Africa Christian Transformation Forum to request their support, experience and wisdom to help the process of finding peace in Mozambique.
‘Prior to the announcement of final results, the Mozambique Christian Council and the Mozambique Evangelical Association issued a statement entitled Mozambique First calling on all Mozambicans to prioritise dialogue to address the existing electoral dispute, and asking them to do their best to ensure that no more Mozambicans die because of the election.
‘On Saturday 4 January 2025, the Mozambique Christian Council and the Mozambique Evangelical Association joined Christian leaders in Matola City to pray for peace and reconciliation in Mozambique.
‘Please will you join us as we continue to pray for Mozambique and for all those affected.’
