Cyclone Eloise Emergency Response

Cabo Delgado, Mozambique’s poorest province, is home to over 800,000 internally displaced people who escaped the ISIS-inspired rebel group Al-Sunna wa Jama’a. Among them are over 384,000 children, many of whom have witnessed horrific violence.

Hundreds of local schools were destroyed in the fighting, and those that remained were closed for over a year due to COVID-19. Without the protective environment of school, Mozambican children affected by conflict, displacement, and isolation face psychosocial difficulties and are at risk of abuse and exploitation. Girls are especially exposed to child marriage and young pregnancy.

IsraAID has been responding to this crisis since 2019. By working in the education system, we provide a sustainable, long-term solution that reaches thousands of children each year. 

We are delivering training for teachers and community activists in:

• Child protection, gender-based violence, and referral mechanisms
• Stress and trauma care tailored to the specific needs of displaced people
• Inclusive education for children with physical and cognitive disabilities
• Emotional resilience and self-care in the classroom and beyond.

Most recently in May, we conducted a monthly self-care workshop in Metuge district. The workshop adopted a mixed methodology, both in the classroom and in the community. Working with the activists, our team conducted mental health training followed by door-to-door visits. The activists, along with IsraAID team members, visited beneficiaries at their homes to discuss psychosocial needs and case management. Having this hands-on training allows the activists to learn new skills, putting them into practice knowing they have back-up while they are still becoming comfortable with the methodology. These accompanied door-to-door visits are a regular activity that the IsraAID team provides three days a month, ensuring that the tools and knowledge provided to the activist are being appropriately used.