More than 400,000 people have fled northern Mozambique since 2017, the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR reports Monday. These people have fled because of the armed groups in the area.
The uprising in the northern province of Cabo Delgado has gained momentum this year. The groups, which are linked to the Islamic State (IS), regularly take on the army and also conquer entire cities.
The UN organization reports that civilians, mainly women and children, are victims of human rights violations such as brutal attacks and kidnappings. Schools, care centers and homes, among others, would be attacked and destroyed.
Valentin Tapsoba, UNHCR chief in southern Africa, says 424,000 people have fled to the neighboring provinces of Niassa and Nampula. Exactly a month ago, it was estimated that there were 355,000 people. According to Mozambican figures, 570,000 people have been displaced since 2017, according to the director.
Refugees include Mozambicans who were badly hit by the Kenneth and Idai cyclones last year. Tapsoba says that after all the natural violence, families were still rebuilding their lives.
The leaders of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana and Tanzania will meet on Monday to discuss the situation in Cabo Delgado. Tapsoba warns that the violence could spread to other countries. That is why it is important that the countries tackle the problem together.
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