The post-election unrest in Mozambique has forced thousands of people to flee their homesin a country that is still recovering from the devastation caused by the cyclone that hit it on December 15, the UN Refugee Agency said this Tuesday (UNHCR).
The Violence increased after December 23when the results of the general elections on October 9 were announced, leaving at least 134 dead in the last four days, according to unofficial information reported by the press.
On Monday, December 23, the Mozambican Constitutional Council, the highest judicial body for electoral matters, confirmed that The winner in the elections was the presidential candidate of the ruling party Mozambique Liberation Front, Daniel Chapo.
The opposition, which had been denouncing fraud since the vote, rejected the results and the protests of his followers did not wait.
Many of those demonstrations turned violent and there were clashes with the police, fires and looting.
People seek refuge in Malawi and Eswatini
UNHCR said that in the last week some 2,000 people crossed from Mozambique into Malawi, while a thousand more arrived in Eswatini. Among the newcomers are refugees and asylum seekers of various nationalities who lived in Mozambique.
The UN Agency expressed concern about the magnitude of the displacements and its impact on affected populations.
“We are deeply alarmed by the current situation in Mozambique, where escalating violence has forced thousands of people to flee. Refugees and civilians They face immense risks, lose their livelihoods and depend on humanitarian assistance. While we appreciate the generosity of Malawi and Eswatini, immediate support is crucial to address the worsening crisis and prevent further suffering,” said Chansa Kapaya, UNHCR Regional Director for Southern Africa.
They escape attacks and looting
People who crossed into Malawi reported escaping attacks and looting in their villages. Many They walked very long distances and crossed the Shire River on foot or in small boats to reach a safe place. Among them there are pregnant women, elderly and children who have had little to eat.
UNHCR has distributed tents, blankets and hygiene kits to help the most vulnerable, but significant gaps remain in humanitarian assistance.
The shelters are overcrowded, sanitation facilities are inadequate and access to food and drinking water is insufficient. More than a thousand people share a single latrine in some places, significantly increasing the risk of disease.
Lost business
In Eswatini, many of the new arrivals reported having lost their shops and businesses due to violence. The Malindza refugee reception center, designed for 250 people, now houses more than a thousand.
UNHCR is working with local authorities and partners to provide assistance, but urgently need additional resources to sustain response and prepare for more arrivals.
Mozambique still is recovering from the devastating effects of Cyclone Chidowhich hit the country on December 15. The current situation is hampering vital humanitarian efforts for communities that lost everything in the storm, while hampering the response to help them.
UNHCR warned that the situation in Malawi and Eswatini is becoming criticalwith the growing number of refugees and asylum seekers straining already overstretched resources.
The Agency reaffirmed its commitment to continue working with local authorities to alleviate the emergency, but stressed that the international community must provide urgent support to host countries and ensure that affected populations receive the assistance they desperately need.
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