Attachments
HIGHLIGHTS
• The situation in Mozambique remains tense amidst an ongoing political crisis following October’s contested election results. While there has been a marked reduction in the violence and unrest during the last week of December, the situation remains unpredictable.
• On 4 January, UNHCR conducted a joint mission with Mozambique’s National Institute of Refugee Assistance (INAR) to the Maratane refugee settlement in Nampula province, where over 1,000 refugees and asylum seekers previously living in nearby Nampula city have sought refuge. In consultation with refugee leaders, UNHCR is working with partners provide to assistance, while screening and registration is going.
• Humanitarian access to the southern districts of Cabo Delgado resumed following a temporary suspension in operations at the end of December due to escalating violence and insecurity. However, the emergency response in the northern districts of Nampula province remains on hold due to insecurity.
• There are concerns around the potential impact of the evolving Tropical Storm Dikeledi, which is forecast to reach cyclone status near eastern Madagascar on 11 January and could make landfall across multiple provinces of Mozambique from 12 January.
• As of 9 January, host governments, with support from UNHCR, have verified over 5,000 new arrivals from Mozambique to Malawi and Eswatini. As of 9 January, UNHCR and the Malawi Department of Refugees have completed the registration of 4,216 individuals, the vast majority of whom arrived in the Nsanje District between 23-24 December. Also, as of 9 January, at least 1,064 individuals have sought safety in Eswatini. While arrivals to Malawi and Eswatini continue to be reported, the scale of daily cross-border movements appears to have declined.