Cabo Delgado insurgency drives child recruitment and displacement

In Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, armed groups have recruited over 400 minors in 2024, according to a report by the World Health Organization and the Health Cluster. The province, which is rich in natural gas, has faced an insurgency linked to the Islamic State since 2017. The conflict has led to the destruction of 30 health facilities and significant psychological trauma for children facing abduction and recruitment.

Recent violence has triggered new waves of displacement. An attack in the Natugo neighborhood on August 7 forced at least 819 people, nearly half of whom are children, to flee their homes. These displaced individuals are currently seeking shelter in areas between 1.º de Maio and Napuda, with urgent needs for food, shelter, and protection.

Humanitarian needs remain critical, with approximately 1.1 million people in northern Mozambique requiring assistance. The total number of internally displaced persons in the region has reached 506,214, representing a 9 percent increase from the previous year. Violence against civilians remains a predominant issue, complicating humanitarian access and safety.