Latest news with #CaboDelgado
Zawya
3 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
Access to healthcare is being compromised by violence in Cabo Delgado
An estimated 400,000 people in Cabo Delgado province have been displaced over the eight years of conflict in northern Mozambique. Attacks are limiting people's access to healthcare, as health centres are under staffed, and humanitarian organisations are having to suspend activities due to insecurity. Health workers and facilities must be protected from violence, and the communities where displaced people are arriving to need a coordinated humanitarian response. An alarming rise in violence in Cabo Delgado, the northernmost province of Mozambique, is severely compromising communities' access to healthcare. Nearly eight years of conflict in northern Mozambique has already taken a huge toll on the people living in the province, of whom more than 400,000 are displaced. Fighting and insecurity have led to the forced reduction of medical activities, and have limited the movements of health workers and the communities in affected areas. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is calling for the protection of medical workers and health facilities from violence, and for a coordinated humanitarian response to be ensured in the communities where displaced people are arriving. Already in 2025, 43,000 people have been newly displaced following attacks and violent incidents. Over 134,000 people were affected by violence in May alone, according to OCHA. 1 This is the most significant rise in violence since June 2022. Many of these recent violent incidents took place in the districts of Macomia, Mocímboa da Praia, Muidumbe and Meluco, and the violence has even spread to neighbouring Niassa province. Macomia, a major town in central Cabo Delgado, was attacked by a non-state armed group in May 2024, forcing MSF, as well as other humanitarian organisations, to stop or suspend activities. We were gradually able to resume operations in April 2025. More than a year after the attack, only one health facility is operational in the district, compared to the seven health centres that were functional before. 'With the increase in displacements, many people have come to seek refuge in Macomia, overwhelming the only functional health centre,' says Dr Emerson Finiose, an MSF medical doctor in Macomia. 'We're struggling to do medical referrals. We must prioritise the most severe cases, leaving a significant gap in care for the rest of the community.' The situation in Macomia illustrates the fragility of the health system in Cabo Delgado, a pattern repeated across the three other districts where MSF is present: Mocímboa da Praia, Mueda and Palma. Since the conflict began, more than fifty per cent of the province's health facilities have been completely or partially destroyed, according to official data. This was further worsened when Cyclone Chido struck southern areas of Cabo Delgado late last year. At the same time, many health facilities are non-functional due to the absence of health workers; services are frequently suspended or reduced, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, and many of the functional facilities are under-resourced or located too far for many people to access safely. In 2025, MSF was forced to suspend outreach activities five times due to insecurity, for at least two weeks at a time, particularly in Macomia and Mocímboa da Praia. This left thousands of people without access to healthcare and jeopardised the continuity of care for patients. MSF teams provide basic healthcare, treatment for HIV and tuberculosis, sexual and reproductive health services, mental health support, and maternity and paediatric care. We also carry out donations of medicines and medical supplies, and provide water and sanitation services. Between January and May 2025, MSF carried out a monthly average of 18,000 medical consultations (both inpatient and outpatient), 30 referrals of patients in need of specialised care, and assisted in 740 deliveries, across the four districts where we work. The limitations – and sometimes inability – to offer care due to this volatile context has a deep impact on the community. This is evident in our medical data: in April, our teams in Mocímboa da Praia carried out 12,236 outpatient consultations. In May, as incidents intensified, that number dropped drastically to 1,951. A crucial part of MSF's response is carried out by health promotion teams and community health workers. They work with communities to share essential health information and promote healthy practices, such as handwashing. MSF trains some community health workers to identify and treat common diseases, such as malaria, a leading cause of death in the region, and to process the referral of patients in need of specialised care. 'Sharing health information is very important in times of conflict, when many people are psychologically affected,' says Fatima Abudo Laíde, an MSF health promoter in the Malinde community, in Mocímboa da Praia district. 'Sometimes a person is sick but can't be open, because emotionally they're not well. I help them seek treatment at the nearest health centre, so they're not isolated.' 'I've faced difficult situations, like accompanying a woman in labour at three in the morning, even though I felt unsafe,' she says. 'But we're here to support our community, to overcome fear, and to make sure no one is left without help.' In addition to suffering acute psychological distress and trauma, some patients are forced to interrupt their treatments. This is particularly concerning for pregnant women, older adults, people with disabilities, and people living with chronic conditions or HIV. 'I remember a case in Mbau community where a pregnant woman went into labour late at night,' says Sunga Antônio, an MSF midwife at the Rural hospital of Mocímboa da Praia. 'The health promoter called us for help, but it was too late and risky to evacuate her. She gave birth in the community, and we could only take her to the hospital by morning. Sadly, she fell into a coma, likely from complications, as she was carrying twins. If the local health centre had been functional, she could have received timely care and had a safe delivery.' Recent cuts in humanitarian aid continue to worsen the situation in Cabo Delgado. These funding shortfalls illustrate the broader global issue: the collective ability to respond to people's needs is collapsing across all sectors and organisations. 'Cabo Delgado's conflict has become a severe humanitarian crisis,' says Dr Finiose. 'It affects every aspect of life, especially healthcare and education, and it strips people of their dignity. We need safe access to communities in need, and support from other actors so we can help them cope with the consequences of this crisis.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).
The Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Activists sue US development bank over $4.6bn loan to massive Mozambique gas project
Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit accusing a US development bank of providing an 'unlawful' near-$5 billion loan to a fossil fuel project in southern Africa. Friends of the Earth US, Mozambican environmental charity Justiça Ambiental, and EarthRights International are accusing the US Export-Import Bank (EXIM) - which uses US public money to support US investments abroad - of not conducting sufficient due diligence around the re-approval of the $4.6bn loan to a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Mozambique. In March, under President Donald Trump, EXIM announced the re-approval of the loan, which had been paused after the project ran into difficulties related to an ongoing Islamic Insurgency in the Cabo Delgado region where the project is based in 2021. The groups allege EXIM 'rushed through approval' without conducting required environmental reviews, economic assessment, or complying with the procedural requirements mandated by Congress. The lawsuit also claims that EXIM failed to follow neither its own Charter nor federal law, setting a dangerous precedent for future decisions. The Independent has previously reported on the numerous human rights and environmental concerns that surround the project. "There are legal procedures and processes in place to ensure the U.S. Export-Import Bank does not waste taxpayer dollars on risky projects plagued by violent insurgencies,' said Kate DeAngelis, deputy director for economic policy at Friends of the Earth US. 'Yet EXIM – like the rest of the Trump Administration – believes that it can operate outside the law. We will not stand by while the Trump Administration cuts health care and disaster aid so that it can give handouts to fossil fuel companies.' Richard Herz, of EarthRights International, added: 'EXIM's Board's illegal decision to subsidize this project, without even considering the risks to local people, let alone the serious allegations that project security committed a massacre at the project site, is beyond reckless. 'EXIM needs to do its job and actually consider the harms this project will inflict on local people.' The long-delayed LNG project has displaced thousands of local people. In 2021, French oil giant TotalEnergies, which is spearheading the project, was forced to halt operations after Islamist insurgents killed dozens of workers near the company's main site in the Cabo Delgado region. The ongoing insurgency – and a 'force majeure' declaration around the project – also means that TotalEnergies has been unable to resume operations. Signs of discontent can be found in villagers claiming that they have not been sufficiently compensated for giving up land that most rely on for subsistence farming, according to evidence collected by local NGO Justica Ambiental, after Mozambique LNG was given rights to 6,625 hectares of land to build its liquefaction terminal. A spokesperson for TotalEnergies previously told The Independent that prior to the force majeure announcement, 89 per cent of compensation payments had been paid within six months of the signing of compensation agreements, and 66 per cent were paid within 90 days. 'The Force Majeure situation has prevented the full implementation of the relocation and compensation process and has slowed down the exercise,' they said. A spokesperson for Justiça Ambiental said: 'To continue financing gas projects in Cabo Delgado would be a betrayal of Mozambique and humanity. 'It would ignore the voices of the families who are bearing the heaviest burdens – who have lost their land, access to the sea, and their livelihoods. It would show a lack of commitment to national laws, international standards, and any efforts to deal with the climate crisis.' An EXIM spokesperson said: 'The Export-Import Bank of the United States is aware of recent reports and inquiries regarding ongoing legal proceedings. As a matter of longstanding policy, EXIM does not comment on pending litigation. 'EXIM remains committed to its mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating the export of U.S. goods and services. The Bank continues to operate in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.'
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Women's Leadership in Times of Crisis: Zura's Story and the First Restaurant in Her Community
"Since I started participating in the activities of this project, many changes have happened in my life. Today, I am an empowered, resilient, and determined woman. I've learned how to manage my own business, and each day I continue to grow. I was able to build the first restaurant in my community, buy a freezer, and dig a well in my backyard.' This is the testimony of Zura Constantino, a 30-year-old woman from Ancuabe district — one of the regions most affected by the armed conflict in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique. Since 2017, Cabo Delgado has been the epicenter of a humanitarian crisis caused by armed conflict, which has affected more than one million people, the majority of whom are women and children. The situation has been further worsened by successive natural disasters, such as cyclones and floods, which have had a deep impact on the lives of local communities. In this context of vulnerability, UN Women — in partnership with Girls Child Rights (GCR) and with financial support from the Government of Norway — implemented the project 'Promoting Women's Participation and Leadership in Peace, Security and Recovery Processes in Mozambique.' The initiative aimed at ensuring that women and girls contribute to and to have greater influence in building sustainable peace and resilience, and to benefit equally from the prevention of conflicts and disasters in Mozambique. Zura Constantino is a vibrant and determined young woman from a rural community in Mozambique, who always dreamed of creating something meaningful for herself and those around her. Facing limited economic opportunities and the hardship of being abandoned by her husband, Zura was left to raise her child alone. Her turning point came when, she participated in financial literacy training and joined a community savings and rotating credit group, promoted by GCR. With support from the group and by applying the knowledge she gained, she took a bold step: she applied for a collective loan of 2,000 MZN to invest in her small food business. Through dedication and hard work, Zura transformed her reality. From selling basic goods like tomatoes and bread, earning less than 500 meticais a day, she expanded her offerings, began selling cooked meals, and now, on busy days, earns up to 2,000 meticais daily. With the profits she saved, she took a leap of faith and is now building the first restaurant in her community — a long-held dream made possible through access to information, credit, and collective support. Today, Zura is an inspiring example of resilience and transformation. She is one of 6,365 women affected by the conflict, aged between 18 and 59, who have benefited from financial literacy training and support through 194 community savings and credit groups established in Cabo Delgado. Each group consists of an average of 25 members, who are encouraged to save a minimum of 72.8 meticais, with savings cycles occurring twice a year. Stories like Zura's stand as a powerful example of how access to capital, capacity-building programmes, and social support can enable women to overcome adversity, lead with confidence, and become drivers of peace and development in their communities. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women - Africa.
Zawya
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
The Republic of Korea supports food security for vulnerable communities in northern Mozambique
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes generous contributions from the Republic of Korea for the second consecutive year, totalling US$ 7.6 million to improve food security for communities affected by multiple shocks in northern Mozambique. The contributions, comprising more than 5,000 metric tonnes of high-quality rice, will enable WFP to deliver life-saving food assistance to over 233,000 vulnerable people in Cabo Delgado Province. The Republic of Korea has been a key partner to WFP in Mozambique, providing critical support at a time marked by protracted internal conflict, recurring climate shocks, and growing funding gaps. During the 2024-2025 cyclone season, northern Mozambique was hit by three cyclones in as many months, affecting more than 1.4 million people — many of whom were already reeling from the effects of the ongoing conflict in Cabo Delgado province. This generous contribution from the Republic of Korea will help prevent a further deterioration in food and nutrition security for the most vulnerable groups in the north. 'This support comes at a crucial time — it's more than a donation, it's a lifeline that helps protect people's dignity and restore hope in a region that has endured far too much,' said Antonella D'Aprile, WFP Country Director in Mozambique.' Thanks to the continued solidarity of the Republic of Korea, we can reach the most fragile communities in Cabo Delgado with food assistance. 'This contribution reflects the strong partnership between the Republic of Korea and Mozambique, and our shared commitment to humanitarian values. In the face of conflict and climate shocks, it is essential to act with urgency and compassion. The ROK will continue to stand by Mozambique on the path to recovery and resilience,' referred Bok Won KANG, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Mozambique. The Republic of Korea has been a long-standing partner of WFP in Mozambique. Since 2019, it has contributed more than US$ 16.3 million to support the country's most vulnerable populations with lifesaving assistance and restoration of livelihoods. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).
Bloomberg
02-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Mozambican President Sees Ongoing Security Risks at Total Gas Site
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo said his government and private companies will have to collectively ensure the necessary security is in place to enable TotalEnergies SE to restart construction of a $20 billion gas project that has stalled due to a militant insurgency — and even then risks will remain. The project in the northern Cabo Delgado province along with others that are at earlier stages of development are seen as crucial to the future of the southern African nation, which ranks among the world's poorest. The French oil major halted work, evacuated workers and declared force majeure in 2021 following an escalation in attacks by Islamic State-linked militants.
