Saul Displacement Site, Metuge District, Cabo Delgado

Metuge District, in Southern Cabo Delgado, is one of the key areas in the province hosting a significant number of internally displaced persons (IDPs). With 17 displacement sites, Metuge has become a refuge for over 76,600 people fleeing violence and instability (IOM DTM 2024). Although some families attempt to return to their areas of origin when they perceive them to be safer, many others have decided to settle and rebuild their lives in resettlement sites or areas provided by the host communities. 

Berta Manuel is among the displaced who has found Metuge District a safer place to rebuild her life.

She escaped violence in her homeland in 2020, finding in Metuge a safe place to raise her two daughters. In Saul, she found the generosity of a host community that offered her a space to build a house. Focused on earning money for construction, she started making and selling traditional beverages until she saved enough to buy materials. However, over time, and with the wear and tear from rain and wind, the house deteriorated and became unsafe for her and her family. 

“When we arrived, I saw myself sleeping under a tree. I feared greatly for my daughters' safety. But we managed to build a house, though it was so small that we could barely lie down, and every time it rained, it flooded,” Berta recalls.  

In 2021, Ayuda en Acción launched a comprehensive housing reconstruction plan in Metuge District, aiming to bolster the resilience and safety of over 7,000 homes. The initiative included training families in basic construction techniques so they can build and repair their homes safely and resiliently, as well as equipping local artisans with advanced techniques for more complex projects. 

At the heart of this effort is the IOM NFI Common Pipeline, which supplies essential shelter materials such as fixing toolkits and tarps. This crucial support empowers the community to actively participate in rebuilding their homes, ensuring they are more durable and secure for the years to come. 

After identifying the precarious state of her home, Berta was chosen to benefit from the reconstruction project. 

“I was trying to save to repair the house, but it was very challenging with all the daily expenses. What a joy it was when I was told the project would support us to build a new house. Now we are safe, and we have enough space”, Berta concludes. 

With her improved home, Berta now dreams of having electricity and more furniture to offer comfort and convenience to her daughters.

Augusto Henriques Nkito, a native of the Saul community, is one of the artisans who contributed to building houses like Berta’s. At 34 years old and a farmer by trade, he enrolled in the construction training provided by Ayuda en Acción to learn new skills. For two months, he received training in resilient construction techniques. 

“In our community, everyone has basic construction knowledge because we always build our own houses. But after the training, I can now build strong, safe houses that withstand rains and winds and are secure for the inhabitants,” says Augusto.

Augusto’s contribution to the community goes beyond just building houses. He actively educates others on safe construction practices and helps identify potential hazards in existing structures. His efforts have inspired many in his community to adopt better building practices, ensuring their homes are more resilient and safer. “After the training, I noticed that many of the structures in the neighborhood are unsafe and could collapse at any moment due to being near water, tree roots, or poor construction. It's important for people to be aware of this and take measures before it's too late”, he explains.

Since 2021, more than 106,900 families have received critical support through the NFI Common Pipeline following violence or displacement in Cabo Delgado. This assistance is pivotal in helping displaced families recover and rebuild, whether by repairing their homes or facilitating swift resettlement. Their resilience underscores an unwavering determination to persevere despite daunting challenges, and this support acts as a beacon of hope, ensuring these families can reconstruct their lives and flourish amidst adversity. 

The NFI Common Pipeline is supported by the USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), Irish Aid, the Embassy of Norway in Mozambique, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Recently, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) bolstered the Pipeline by donating essential supplies to assist a further 24,000 families in need.