In 2017, violence erupted in Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique, compounding the social, economic, and health challenges in the region. For adolescent girls and their families, this context heightened the risk of gender-based violence (GBV)—including sexual violence and child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM)—and adolescent pregnancy. From 2020 to 2024, the USAID Preventing Child, Early, and Forced Marriage & Countering Violent Extremism in Cabo Delgado (locally known as Uholo-Raparigas e Jovens) project has worked to improve the lives and livelihoods of 22,000 adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) ages 10 to 24 to reduce CEFM and socioeconomic restrictions that may arise among married young people. While the project made notable impacts, it was not designed to operate in a humanitarian setting. As the conflict and humanitarian crisis deepened over the course of implementation, the project team adapted accordingly.
This brief explores the challenges of operating in an evolving, conflict-affected setting and shares key adaptation strategies, lessons, and recommendation that may contribute to safe, successful implementation of other programs in humanitarian and fragile settings.
