Students displaced by the actions of armed groups in Cabo Delgado province asked the government this Friday for greater dissemination of initiatives for youth self-employment projects.

"They should publicize more, in the media, so we know how to join, this can help our province in general and especially the young people in districts affected by terrorism," Issa Machude, 17, told Lusa.

The 12th grade student at Pemba Secondary School, was speaking on the sidelines of a lecture attended by the provincial director of Youth and Employment, Maria Carrilho, in the provincial capital of Cabo Delgado.

At issue are the initiatives that have been developed by the government and partners for the younger layers in the face of unemployment and lack of opportunities, pointed out by several observers as some of the causes for recruitment of young people from Cabo Delgado to rebel groups.

For Alberto Mané, another displaced youth who studies at the Pemba High School, the creation and dissemination of initiatives to deal with unemployment is fundamental for the younger classes, who have had few options.

"I, for example, don't know any of the programs that exist for young people," Alberto Mané said.

The provincial director of Youth and Employment, Maria Carrilho, recognizes that most of the displaced youth are unaware of the programs, but reiterates that the government has been working to create opportunities for this population in Cabo Delgado.

"The Secretary of State has been running several programs, namely My Job, Support Fund for Youth Initiatives, Creative Youth Award, and others. It is true that they don't know about these programs, but that is why we are here to make the disclosure," stated Maria Carrilho.

There are 784 internally displaced people due to the conflict, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and 4,000 deaths, according to the ACLED conflict registration project.