Pemba: Catholic sisters in northern Mozambique are helping thousands of people recover from deep emotional pain after being forced to flee their homes because of violent attacks by jihadist groups. The sisters, working mainly in the Diocese of Pemba in the Cabo Delgado province, are offering trauma healing sessions and spiritual support to people who have lost family members, homes, and livelihoods.

According to church sources, the program is supported by the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need. The sisters organize group activities that combine manual work, open conversations, and prayer to help people regain confidence and find meaning again after years of fear and loss. One of the leaders, Sister Aparecida Queiroz from the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus, has been serving in Mozambique since 2017, the year when the insurgent attacks began.

The armed conflict in Cabo Delgado has caused widespread suffering. Since 2017, more than 6,000 people have been killed and over one million forced to leave their homes. The violence continues to disrupt lives, with many displaced families still living in temporary shelters or trying to rebuild their homes in areas that remain unsafe.

Recent reports from humanitarian organizations say that new waves of attacks have displaced tens of thousands more in 2025. The United Nations estimates that about 580,000 people are still internally displaced, mostly women and children. Aid groups warn that even those who return home face challenges such as destroyed houses, lost farmland, and the fear of new violence.

In this difficult situation, the work of the sisters has brought comfort and strength to many. Their efforts go beyond physical aid, helping people rebuild trust, share their pain, and start dreaming about a better future.

Despite limited resources and security risks, the sisters continue their mission. They believe that healing hearts and restoring hope are essential steps toward peace in northern Mozambique.