Mass-Displacement in Mozambique

ACN HAS PLEDGED €100,000 TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE SEVERE DISPLACEMENT CRISIS FACED BY REFUGEES IN MOZAMBIQUE WHO HAVE BEEN FORCED TO FLEE VIOLENCE FROM ISLAMISTS.

By Clodagh Gallagher

Refugees arriving on the shores of the Pemba Diocese, Mozambique. (Credit: Aid To The Church In Need)

Since 2017 violence in Mozambique has left 300,000 people displaced and destitute. Over 600 brutal attacks in the northern part of the country have left thousands dead – with the most recent attack culminating in the execution of 50 people in a football stadium. The Islamic State in Central Africa claimed responsability for the attack. A further 15 people – men, women and children – were hacked to death as they prepared to partake in tribal initiation rites of the area.

In response, ACN has announced a package of €100,000 in humanitarian aid. The attacks have forced people to flee their homes. Many travel the 180,000 kilometres to the Diocese of Pemba, where religious communities have been taking care of as many refugees as they can. However, the need is overwhelming. Over 12,000 people arrived in Pemba - the capital city of the Cabo Delgado province – in the past two weeks alone. Those caring for the refugees say they cannot keep up with the demand. Women, children and the elderly walk for days along dirt roads and forest tracks, often without food and water for days. Sadly, people have died on the journey from exhaustion, disease or dehydration. Others have given birth - with zero medical care or provisions until they reach Cabo Delgado. If they manage to arrive safely, they still have nowhere to sleep. Locals have provided blankets and makeshift shelters because no such place has been designated for their accommodation. Some people have been taken in by generous locals who can afford to help.

Destitute refugees in the Diocese of Pemba who have fled violence. (Credit: Aid To The Church In Need)

It is impossible at this stage to say for certain if these recent attacks were motivated by hatred of Christians. It is however clear that African Christians are being targeted by Islamists. For example, during Holy Week this year 52 young Catholics in Mozambique were killed after refusing to join the Islamic group. Bishop Lisboa of the Pemba Diocese says that “the world still has no idea what is happening, because of indifference, and because it seems that we have already become accustomed to wars”. He continues, “This is a desperate humanitarian situation, for which we are asking, indeed begging the help and solidarity of the international community”.

Bishop Luiz Fernando Lisboa of the Diocese of Pemba, Mozambique during a blessing of the faithful. (Credit: Leandro Martins/ Aid To The Church In Need)

In response to this appeal from Bishop Lisboa and other bishops, ACN has pledged €100,000 of emergency aid for refugees fleeing from Islamist violence. This is in addition to the projects we are already sponsoring within the dioceses for its priests and religious. This aid will cover blankets, clothing, food, basic hygiene products and whatever else is needed to ease the worst of the suffering and trauma. We have set up a programme for diocesan teams to provide psychological support and counselling to the traumatised refugees settling in parishes across the Pemba diocese. It is only by your generous support that we have been able to do this. Please continue to keep the people of Mozambique in your prayers - for we know that prayer can move mountains.