Xavier João, Case Worker for Save the Children in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique

By Shreya Chakrabarty

Xavier João, a Case Worker for Save the Children, works in a transit camp for families displaced because of the conflict in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique.

“Families have been displaced to many places. They don’t know where to go because they don’t have a home. As Case Workers, we speak with children and many children have told us that they have lived through a very difficult time seeing their parents murdered and many family members killed,” he says.

Xavier João, a Save the Children Case Worker, conducts an activity for displaced children in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. — Xavier João is a Case Worker for Save the Children and works in a transit camp set up for families who have been displaced from their homes due to the conflict in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique.

The conflict in Cabo Delgado has escalated since September 2020. There are countless reports of increased violations against civilians, such as sexual violence, beheadings and kidnappings. More than 800,000 people, including 350,000 children, had to evacuate their homes due to the violence.

Displaced children in Cabo Delgado are highly vulnerable. They are often threatened with violence, separated from their families or forced to work. Additionally, the children lack access to healthcare and clean water, making them more susceptible to diseases like cholera and malaria. Many do not attend school, putting them in danger of exploitation, such as child marriage.

Children from Cabo Delgado sitting and listening. — Displaced children in Cabo Delgado are incredibly vulnerable.

Xavier identifies children who are unaccompanied or separated from their parents. He also assists families who have misplaced their children and are looking for them. Xavier works with his colleagues and other partners to locate the family. This is challenging because displaced families frequently travel around searching for a new home, and our case workers often have to visit multiple sites before finding the family.

He reunites the family after he confirms their identity, and it is clear that the child will be safe with them.

Once the family is reunited, Xavier helps them access essential services like food, water and shelter. He also helps children exposed to traumatic circumstances, like the death of a parent or a loved one.

Save the Children and our partners are actively responding to children and their families affected by the conflict in Cabo Delgado. We are prioritizing child protection, education, health (including COVID-19), food security and livelihood enhancement, as well as water and sanitation programming. Our broader cyclone and conflict response has directly affected over 118,000 individuals across the province, including 72,000 children, and we are dedicated to providing continued support.