Mozambique endured a 12-year civil war from 1980 to 1992 between
FRELIMO (government forces) and RENAMO (guerrilla forces).
This war was infamous for its violence and brutality: 1 million of
Mozambique's 16 million inhabitants were victims of the war, most of the
casualties were inflicted upon civilians, and 5.5 million people were
forced to leave their villages to seek refuge in towns, cities, and
neighboring countries. More than 250,000 children are thought to have
been separated from their families.
USAID supported Save the Children
Federation, to help reunite families and children and to help in their
readjustment to post-war life.
Activities were designed to complement
local community and family efforts to promote children's social
integration. This approach allowed USAID to contribute directly to the
reintegration of more than 12,000 unaccompanied children and made the
reunification of thousands of others possible between 1988 and 1995. |
