After Cessation of Attacks Families Begin Returning in northern Mozamboique

Memba District is beginning to see the gradual return of families displaced by attacks carried out by non-state armed groups in Memba and Erati districts last November. Local authorities report that the security situation has stabilised.

Tonito Cardoso, Secretary Chief of the Mazua Administrative Post in Memba, confirmed the improvement, stating that “The situation in the administrative post has normalised.”

Gender imbalance among returnees

At present, the majority of those returning are men, while many women and children remain in host communities or in rented housing, which they perceive as safer than returning immediately to their areas of origin. Cardoso expressed confidence that this imbalance will soon be addressed, adding that “We believe that more women will return next week.”

Humanitarian needs persist

World Vision cautions that sustainable recovery will depend on continued security, adequate humanitarian assistance, and efforts to rebuild trust within affected communities. The organisation is intensifying efforts to trace displaced children who fled to Erati District and whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Within World Vision’s Child Sponsorship Programme, 4,645 children are registered in the Mazua Area Programme. As stability improves, 1,500 children have now returned to the programme area and  3,145 remain outside the area.

By António Massipa