Maputo, 25 March 2022 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Mozambique, with support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is responding to the humanitarian needs of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and host communities in Mozambique, reaching more than 450,000 people in central and northern Mozambique over the past year.

Since 2021, USAID has provided IOM Mozambique with $5.3 million to support the most urgent humanitarian needs resulting from displacement due to natural disasters in central Mozambique and insecurity in the north. Additionally, USAID has provided over $1.3 million worth of critical in-kind donations of immediate shelter and Non-Food Items (NFIs) for 20,000 households (HHs) fleeing insecurity in Cabo Delgado.

USAID support contributes to humanitarian coordination as well as providing comprehensive direct and indirect assistance such as referrals to social services, health facilities, specialized mental health services and provision of individual protection assistance; supply of construction material; on-the job coaching to artisans and households engaged in the construction of emergency shelters; improved access to protection services in hard-to-reach areas and others. Vulnerable populations affected by conflict or natural disasters are also assisted with NFI kits, including sanitation and hygiene items, plastic sheeting rolls, buckets, blankets, tarpaulins, and kitchen sets, as well as solar lamps, shelter tools and water containers. The funding from USAID also allows for important data collection on displacement movements and humanitarian needs through the IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM).  

“IOM is committed to deliver life-saving support to communities in need, including migrants, displaced people and those hosting them. Thanks to this contribution from USAID, IOM can continue alleviating human suffering and preserving human dignity, which is the driving force for humanitarian action” said IOM Mozambique Chief of Mission, Laura Tomm-Bonde.

 
This support from USAID has helped IOM reach over 450,000 people in Cabo Delgado, Nampula, Niassa and Zambezia provinces in northern Mozambique, and Sofala and Manica provinces in central Mozambique, who are in dire need of humanitarian assistance due to the ongoing situation of insecurity which has left over 735,344 displaced across central and northern Mozambique (DTM Baseline Assessment Report Round 14, November 2021). 

“The U.S. Government remains committed to assisting the many Mozambican families and communities that have been affected by violence in Cabo Delgado and by natural disasters. Through IOM, our support helps meet the immediate housing and hygiene needs of affected communities and build resilience for future emergencies” said USAID Mission Director Helen Pataki.

In 2022, IOM will further increase its emergency and post crisis efforts throughout Mozambique, in line with the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan, under which IOM requires USD 37.3 million to provide lifesaving interventions in the areas of Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Niassa. 

For more information, please contact:   
Manuel Mabuiangue at IOM Mozambique, Tel:  +258 847345420, Email: mmabuiangue@iom.int