The secretary of state of Nampula province, Mety Gondola, warns that the humanitarian assistance provided by both the Mozambican government and its partners should not be given to the same people who triggered this crisis.

Currently, there are at least 65,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nampula from neighboring Cabo Delgado province, where terrorists have killed more than 3,000 people and forced more than 900,000 to leave their homes to seek safer places elsewhere since October 2017.

Gondola left the warning on Tuesday speaking to the press, as he announced that humanitarian assistance is underway for the approximately 25,000 new IDPs fleeing the districts of Eráti and Memba, which share the same border with Cabo Delgado.

"We are working very quickly to provide a robust response in Memba district, because we don't want our logistics base to be used by the same people who are harming us," he explained, quoted by AIM

Gondola said that the internally displaced people who, for various reasons, cannot return to their homes, will be welcomed in the resettlement camp of Corrane, Meconta district, where there are already 8,000 people from Cabo Delgado.

"Those who cannot return for psychological or other reasons, we can resettle them in the Meconta district where we are prepared to provide humanitarian assistance."

Gondola also expressed his concern for the emotional state of the IDPs who, in addition to humanitarian material assistance, also need emotional support due to the traumas they have suffered, particularly the children.

"All those who have been affected need special support from us, we must give them our support so that they can recover, rebuild their lives and social reintegration," he added.

The secretary of state acknowledged the need to restore public services, which is conditional on peace and tranquility in places affected by terrorist attacks.

"The Defense and Security Forces (DSF) must ensure security throughout the region so that the population can safely return to their homes and resume their daily activities," he said.

The local authorities, Gondola explained, want to avoid exposing people to the same risky situation they have already experienced recently.

In late September, the 25,000 IDPs, who fled terrorist attacks in Eráti and Memba districts, began receiving food assistance and shelter kits provided by the government and partners of the humanitarian response team in Nampula. (AIM)