Protection Update – Forced Displacement in Ibo and Quissanga (October 2, 2023) – Mozambique

CONTEXT

On 20 September 2023, non-state armed group (NSAG) reportedly entered the village of Pangane located in Mocamia District (57 km south-west of Macomia Sede) where they allegedly abducted and coerced community members to join the armed group (AVSI Foundation, OIKOS, Voice of Cabo Delgado and ZITAMAR news). IOM-DTM Movement Alert 82 and 83 reported that families were forced to flee to neighboring districts such as Ibo (to Quirimba, Ibo sede, and Matemo Islands), Quissanga (to Tandanhange village), and Macomia (to Macomia Sede). Some of the displaced families had already been previously displaced seeking safety in Metuge, Pemba City, Macomia, Chiúre, and Montepuez districts and they had just recently returned to their habitual residences in Pangane village according to the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM Mozambique Alert, 21 September 2023). According to AVSI Foundation, people who initially sought safety in Tandanhange village have recently decided to move to Quirimba Island (Ibo), while others decided to move to Pemba City and Metuge District due to the lack of humanitarian support in Tandanhange. In less than a week, families have therefore been displaced multiple times, compounding their exposure to protection risks and trauma. Reportedly, Quirimba Island at the moment remains a major destination for displaced families. In the past, Quirimba Island acted as a transit location for IDPs to move onwards to Pemba, therefore, partners in Pemba have been mobilized in case such onward search for safety to the Provincial capital takes place.