Some resdents of Mocimboa da Praia
With the interruption of vehicle circulation, basic products have become luxury items for many residents of Mocímboa da Praia, in Cabo Delgado province, northern Mozambique. Currently, a sack of low-quality rice costs about 2,500 meticais, the same price as maize flour.
Cooking oil, essential for local cuisine, is being sold at 350 meticais per liter, one of the highest prices ever recorded. These prices are far above what the local population can afford, given that the income of most families is low. These are families who returned after a wave of frequent terrorist attacks.
Many people make a great effort to prepare breakfast, also known as "café da manhã." Similarly, they struggle to provide lunch and dinner. However, there is a challenge as to whether this effort is sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for a balanced diet, especially for children and the elderly.
Impact on the population
The food crisis directly affects the families of Mocímboa da Praia, whose income is very low. "What we have is just a little, and it's running out. We don't know what we'll do if the situation continues like this," commented one resident, expressing hope that the protests would end and that roads would be cleared to allow the entry of products, which would also help reduce prices.
Moreover, local traders are also facing significant losses. With the roads blocked, they cannot replenish their stock, and the scarcity of products not only increases prices but also reduces sales.
In this sense, the population of Mocímboa da Praia is calling for an urgent response from the authorities, stressing the need for the restoration of road circulation to ensure the supply of essential products.
Humanitarian organizations and the government must also do their
part as before, joining efforts to alleviate the crisis and prevent the hunger
situation from worsening. (Armando
António Bento Kapemba)
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