APA-Maputo (Mozambique) Over 420,000 Mozambicans have returned to their homes in the insurgence-hit northern Cabo Delgado province but need urgent humanitarian support to rebuild their lives, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Thursday.
According to ICRC, the 420,000 are among over one million people who are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.
“Moreover, 420,000 people have returned to their places of origin across the province but find themselves similarly vulnerable to those still internally displaced,” ICRC said in a statement.
It added: “They face critical needs for livelihoods, shelter, water, food and other emergency support.”
Millions of Mozambicans have been displaced since Islamic State-linked insurgents began attacks on the mineral-rich Cabo Delgado province in October 2017, with thousands killed during the conflict.
ICRC said the armed conflict continues to exact a toll on civilians and civilian infrastructure, with about 834,000 people still internally displaced.
“While about 834,000 people are still internally displaced, a total of one million people are extremely vulnerable due the impact of the conflict.”
ICRC is working with Mozambican authorities and the Mozambican Red Cross to respond to the humanitarian needs of those affected by the conflict.
JN/APA