By Noémia Mendes
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – The Swedish government will disburse some USD 11 million to finance a project aimed at supporting children and young people in Palma district, Cabo Delgado province.
The project will be jointly implemented by UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP), according to a joint statement sent by email.
The programme beneficiaries are children and young people exposed to violence, displacement, and limited access to education and social services due to the armed insurgency that has plagued Cabo Delgado since 2017.
“Children and young people are fundamental to building peace in Cabo Delgado. This programme is a critical step towards fostering a sense of belonging, protection, and opportunity,” said Mette Sunnergren, Sweden’s Ambassador to Mozambique, as quoted in the statement.
In January, UNICEF reported that more than 1.3 million internally displaced persons, returnees, and conflict-affected people require assistance in Cabo Delgado. It is estimated that around 80% of the returnees and internally displaced persons are women and children.
According to UNICEF, insecurity and access restrictions hinder the delivery of services in this extremely fragile and resource-limited province.
Recently, insurgents have intensified attacks on villages in the central region of Cabo Delgado, spreading panic and resulting in deaths, abductions, food theft, house burnings, and a new wave of internally displaced persons. (NM)
