Internal Conflict and Civil War
Because of recent jihadist attacks in the northern part of the country, nearly one million people are believed to be displaced and hungry in that region (Al Jazeera). As they evacuate their homes, they’re leaving behind their usual sources of income and resources — such as land, livestock and other items that help produce livelihoods.
Not only is recent conflict a contributing factor, but poor Mozambicans are still impacted by the ramifications of the country’s bloody civil war, which lasted from 1977 to 1992. Up to one million people died in this war (Population Reference Bureau), and much of the country’s infrastructure was destroyed, leaving future generations responsible for picking up the pieces.
The HIV/AIDS Crisis
Mozambique lost an entire generation to Africa’s HIV/AIDS crisis. The disease continues to kill 51,000 people each year, and 2 million people are currently living with the virus. This crisis is mainly responsible for the country’s low life expectancy of 56 years (CIA World Factbook).
HIV/AIDS has a dramatic impact on the family life of Mozambicans, with children losing their parents and becoming orphans, and elderly citizens losing their adult children to the virus. UNICEF estimates that 2 million children have lost one or both parents, primarily due to HIV/AIDS. This has placed a heavy burden on surviving relatives, many of whom do not have the resources to meet the nutritional needs of these children.
This means that many vulnerable children start working at an early age, sometimes dropping out of school to help support their families, with 24% of children between the ages of 5 to 14 working menial jobs to keep their bellies full (UNICEF).