Improving future prospects for refugees and host communities in northern Mozambique

Context

Mozambique is home to around 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers and more than 850,000 internally displaced persons. Humanitarian crises caused by armed conflicts and extreme weather events lead to social unrest and an unstable security situation.

There has been a violent conflict in the province of Cabo Delgado in northern Mozambique since October 2017. Repeated attacks on the civilian population by armed groups have led to more than a million people fleeing their homes. In addition, tropical cyclones have destroyed parts of the infrastructure.

Many people return to their home regions only to find them devastated and without access to basic services such as electricity or water.

Objective

The living conditions of internally displaced persons, refugees and members of the host communities in northern Mozambique, especially women and young people, have improved.

Approach

The project promotes cooperation between humanitarian, development policy and peacebuilding actors in northern Mozambique. It aims to reduce the pressure on host communities, and support the independence of refugees and internally displaced persons, thus contributing to lasting stability.

The focus is on improving the living conditions of women and young people. The project is implemented with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and in cooperation with local authorities.

The project

• promotes vocational training for displaced persons and members of local communities by building the capacity of vocational training institutions and providing career counselling.
• improves social cohesion by providing training for community leaders and authorities on how to organise and deliver public services in a conflict-sensitive manner.
• creates access to social protection systems by training leaders in the prevention of violence against women and girls and setting up community centres for gender-based violence prevention.

Last update: November 2023