The security situation in certain districts of Cabo Delgado remains volatile, with a string of attacks since September, resulting in the displacement of thousands in the districts of Macomia, Mocimboa da Praia, and Muidumbe. Despite ongoing challenges, there is still a lack of access and support in these isolated areas, prolonging the hardship faced by the local population.

Stabilization and a return to normalcy are elusive ambitions in Cabo Delgado, as over 600,000 individuals continue to grapple with displacement. While 540,000 people have attempted to return to their areas of origin, the specter of extreme violence continues to haunt the region, inflicting multiple displacements and leaving a profound impact on the mental well-being of the affected families.

The return of previously displaced families does not guarantee a sense of safety or security. The village of Novo Cabo in Macomia serves as a stark example, as 500 families (equivalent to 1,500 individuals) who had ventured back to their homes in June were once again uprooted by fresh attacks in November. Consequently, they found themselves compelled to seek refuge in the same displacement site where they had resided for over two years prior to their ill-fated attempt to return home. To alleviate their plight, MSF has provided vital support in the form of Non-Food Items (NFIs), water and sanitation initiatives, as well as health and mental health services.

The dual challenges of accessing healthcare in displacement areas and rehabilitating decimated infrastructure persist. Out of 14 health centers in Macomia and Mocimboa da Praia, a mere five are operational—painting a harrowing picture of healthcare provision in these areas.

Both displaced and returning families find themselves grappling with identical needs, having lost everything to the conflict. The struggle to obtain essential necessities such as food, clean water, shelter, and healthcare services underscores the urgent need for sustained humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of thousands affected by the strife in northern Mozambique. Simultaneously, there is a pressing need for long-term development interventions to rebuild the ravaged health infrastructure, thereby tackling the crisis from both immediate and enduring perspectives.

In the words of Francesca Zuccaro, Deputy Head of Mission in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, “It is imperative to maintain and increase humanitarian assistance to address the immediate and basic needs of thousands of families that remain affected by the conflict in northern Mozambique. At the same time, it is critical to engage in development interventions in the longer term and rehabilitate the health infrastructure destroyed during the conflict.”