Cabo Delgado Mozambique - Activation of Level 2 : Omar Abdi

 

From: Deputy Executive Director-Programmes <ded-programmes@unicef.org>
Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2020 12:25:33 AM
Subject: Activation of UNICEF Corporate Emergency Level 2 Scale-up Procedure for the Cabo Delgado crisis in Mozambique - from 25 November 2020 to 25 February 2021



Dear colleagues,

The northern most Province of Mozambique, Cabo Delgado, is witnessing an unprecedented level of violence and sharp increase in needs. Attacks by Non-State Armed Groups and fighting with armed forces are triggering continuous displacements, with more than 350,000 people currently displaced, the majority living in overcrowded host communities with severely limited access to basic services. Many of those affected were previously displaced by Cyclone Kenneth and communities hosting IDPs are already extremely strained and struggling to cope.

Of great concern is the scale of protection needs. Child rights violations are increasing at an alarming rate. Reports of killings, abductions, recruitment and use of children as soldiers, arbitrary and illegal detentions, abuse of girls and women and gender-based violence cases continue to rise. The complex operating environment also requires strengthened capacity to respond. Due to the escalation in violence, humanitarian access in Cabo Delgado has reduced in 2020, and humanitarian organizations working in the province are facing significant challenges to reach people in need. In light of the scale of the crisis, urgency, and complexity of the crisis, it is imperative that we rapidly scale-up our programmes and presence and provide organization-wide support to the response.

I have, therefore, approved the recommendation by Mohamed Malick Fall, ESA Regional Director and endorsed by Manuel Fontaine, EMOPS Director, to activate a Level 2 Corporate Emergency Activation Procedure (CEAP) for the Cabo Delgado crisis in Mozambique. The Level 2 in Mozambique will cover Cabo Delgado and neighboring affected provinces for a period of three months. In alignment with UNICEF’s commitment to Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and building up on lessons learned from previous complex emergencies, specific PSEA measures will be implemented and scaled-up from the onset of the Level 2 activation with the mobilization of dedicated support.

We are thankful for the commitment and dedication of all our colleagues in Mozambique who continue to deliver lifesaving assistance to affected women and children.

Warm regards.

Omar