from ARMANDO DOMINGOS in Maputo, Mozambique
Mozambique Bureau
MAPUTO, (CAJ News) – THE mental health crisis is worsening in northern Mozambique where communities have been displaced by Islamist insurgents.
Cabo Delgado province is the epicentre of the conflict that has been raging since 2017.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that between the end of July and the beginning of August, over 51 900 people (12 300 families) fled 14 villages in Chiúre district, Cabo Delgado.
Most sought safety in Chiúre Sede, with smaller groups arriving in Ocua and Chiúre Velho, although access constraints limited verification.
Over 60 percent of the displaced were children, with documented cases of unaccompanied and separated children, as well as a significant presence of pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities.
As of August 31 a total of 111 393 people had been displaced across the three northern provinces, the majority in Cabo Delgado (109 118 people).
OCHA bemoans the escalating mental health crisis among displaced populations.
The agency said a severe mental health and psychosocial (MHPSS) crisis unfolded in Chiúre.
Over 77 percent of displaced individuals showed signs of psychological distress due to repeated displacements and trauma, yet only 20 per cent accessed any form of MHPSS support.
“Service coverage remained critically low, with insufficiently trained personnel and a lack of clinical expertise,” said a spokesperson.
OCHA lamented that women in some sites reported receiving no support since arrival, and trauma was reportedly contributing to increased protection risks, including radicalisation and recruitment by non-state armed groups.
Thousands have been killed since the insurgency began in the resources-rich region.
– CAJ News