Since October 2017, attacks by armed groups have been occurring in the north of Cabo Delgado province, resulting in burnt villages, destroyed infrastructure and the proliferation of fear. The situation intensified in early 2020, causing an increase in the number of internally displaced persons who fled to more southern areas of the province. According to IOM data, there are currently over 500,000 internally displaced persons in Cabo Delgado province, who are living in host communities such as: Impire, Miéze, Mahera and Salaue, coming from the northern districts of the province, especially Mocímboa da Praia, Macomia, Muidumbe and Quissanga.

In search of security, many of these families left with few or no possessions, many without documentation and sought refuge with relatives, friends or acquaintances. These households are very numerous with (about 6-7 people), half of them children. Although they are far from each other (in relation to Pemba, Miéze is 25km away, Impire is 50km away and Saluae is 85km away), there are many characteristics common to the three communities, such as the development of rainfed agriculture, using slash and burn techniques and family farming, as well as informal commerce, which are the main sources of income for the inhabitants. The houses are precariously built, using local materials such as matope (clay), bamboo and grass and access to water is possible through the use of fountains or handmade wells.

The 3 communities have been the target of intervention by Helpo in the areas of Education, Maternal and Child Health and Emergency, but through a Scholarship programme, it has supported the entry and retention of students in secondary education in the 3 communities. Recently, this support has been provided to displaced young male and female students now living in these communities, where the nearest secondary school or annexed halls are about 15-20 km away.

Other families have also managed to develop small businesses such as selling bread, cakes, samosas, etc, which they sell in the local markets.

The campaign aims to collect 100 bicycles, which will help to improve the quality of life of these people, and not only as a means of transport, but also so that the whole family can benefit from this means of transport, increasing their independence at various levels: the children students to ensure their school attendance in distant schools such as secondary schools, the parents in the search for sources of income and / or business creation, in order to increase the chances of subsistence of their families.

This campaign will provide:

• 100 Bicycles
• Bicycle Transportation
• Spare parts and accessories
• Basic bike care and maintenance training