Joint UN Press Conference on Escalating Humanitarian Crisis in Mozambique

Voicing their extreme concern about the dire humanitarian and food security situation in northern Mozambique, brought on by escalating violence and the displacement of more than half a million people from Cabo Delgado, United Nations Regional Directors for East and Southern Africa address the media on 20 January at a virtual conference. 

The Regional Directors concluded a joint mission in December 2020 to assess the plight of displaced people and host communities in conflict-affected Cabo Delgado province. The mission met with internally displaced people who have been victims of attacks, continue facing insecurity and have lost everything – including their agricultural land, livelihoods and homes. With limited supplies reaching markets, the cost of food and household items has skyrocketed. As displacement numbers increase daily, the lack of security, adequate food, water, sanitation, shelter, health, protection and education is exacerbating an already dire situation.

Speakers included the following: 

• Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, UNFPA Regional Director for East and Southern Africa
• Myrta Kaulard, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Mozambique
• Patrice Talla Takoukam, Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa (SFS) and FAO Representative in Zimbabwe
• Sara Mbago-Bhunu, Director of IFAD’s East and Southern Africa Division
• Charles Allan Kwenin, Regional Director for Southern Africa of International Organization for Migration (IOM)
• Alessandra Casazza, Programme Advisor for the MDGs/SDGs at the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa (RSCA)
• Valentin Tapsoba, Director for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Regional Bureau for Southern Africa
• Lola Castro, World Food Programme (WFP) Regional Director Southern Africa and Indian Ocean States

Additional speakers for the Q&A session: Andrea M. Wojnar, UNFPA Country Representative for Mozambique

The press conference was moderated by Masimba Tafirenyika, Director, United Nations Information Centre, Pretoria.