COVID-19: Assisting displaced communities in Cabo Delgado

Following the recent increase in armed violence in the Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique, several thousands of people were forced to flee to Pemba, seeking safety. The ICRC, Mozambique Red Cross Society (CVM) and IFRC jointly organized a distribution of essential household items to help them rebuild their lives.

Humanitarian assistance in times of COVID-19 faces new challenges and we’ve adapted our distributions adhering to the health guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus. Hand-washing stations are installed at the entrance of the distribution site before community members move to the receive the essential household items inside the site. Moreover, both community members and Red Cross staff wear masks, observe safe physical distance from each other while registering and collecting their kits. The kits contain tarpaulins, blankets, kitchen sets, shelter kits, and tools for 1,600 families (over 8,000 people) who have fled from violence in Cabo Delgado province.

Life as a displaced person when you have lost loved ones and your home is not easy. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are particularly vulnerable in view of COVID-19 because they live in cramped conditions and have to share the little resources with the support of their extended families and friends. Survival and rebuilding lives in these times is a bigger challenge than ever.