Metuge, Cabo Delgado – September, 2025 — The June 25 Welcoming Center, one of the largest camps for people displaced by the insurgency in Cabo Delgado, hosted an Access to Justice and Human Rights Fair organized by the Office of Justice, in partnership with the National Commission for Human Rights (CNDH) and the Institute for Multiparty Democracy (IMD), with support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The fair brought together hundreds of vulnerable community members, including children, women, and the elderly, with the goal of strengthening legal literacy and ensuring awareness of fundamental rights, especially for women and girls. A dedicated dialogue session addressed the challenges faced by women in accessing justice, outlining mechanisms and institutions available to support them.
To ease reintegration, displaced persons were offered assistance from legal aid teams, health services, registration and notary brigades, and civil identification offices—an essential step for many who lost documents during the insurgency. Informational materials were also distributed to encourage continued engagement with available services.
In his address, Ombudsman Isaque Chande urged citizens to turn to state institutions to resolve disputes peacefully and appealed to parents to prioritize children’s education and health. CNDH President Albachir Macassar reaffirmed that access to justice is a universal right that safeguards all other rights, encouraging participants to use the fair to retrieve essential documentation.
Elsbeth Akkerman, Ambassador of the Netherlands, emphasized her country’s commitment to bringing rights closer to citizens, while Lorena Mazive, IMD Programs Coordinator, underlined the importance of civil identification as the foundation for accessing public services.
Lucia Namashulua, Administrator of Metuge District, thanked organizers for selecting Metuge and pledged government collaboration to support ongoing initiatives.
The fair concluded with the distribution of food kits, sports items, and other goods to displaced families, reinforcing the consortium’s commitment to improving the lives of Cabo Delgado’s most vulnerable communities.
