For the past six years, the province of Cabo Delgado in northern Mozambique has been plunged into an armed conflict, resulting in the displacement of nearly one million people and the destruction of countless towns and villages. UNDP Mozambique’s Stabilization Project intervenes in areas directly affected by violent extremism, complementing the operations of the state’s security forces. UNDP’s human rights-based approach is underpinned by evidence that securitized approaches to violent extremism alone are not sustainable over time; marginalization and poverty being root causes leading to the breakdown of the social contract and engagement in violent extremist groups.  

In 2022, UNDP supported public servants to deploy and rehabilitate public services, including the security sector, restore access to justice and provide economic opportunities in the displaced communities. To further build trust between communities and the state and to break the cycle of recruitment into violent extremist groups, UNDP Mozambique built the capacities of frontline police officers deployed in the areas taken over by armed groups on police ethics, human rights protection, and the specific needs and rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs). UNDP also strengthened early warning and early action systems by leading community dialogues at the neighbourhood level to connect individuals and families with the police, building a better understanding of security challenges in Cabo Delgado. Aware of the basic needs of the population, UNDP also promoted livelihoods and employment by providing bicycles, cell phones, and solar panels to recharge electronic devices in isolated areas.