text: shot at by the bandits', he explained by way of apology. 'It's best to land as quickly as possible.' "As we descended towards the dirt landing strip, green hills rolled into the distance and all appeared peace- ful - no sign of the 14-year-long war which had devastated the district and its people. "We were met at the airport, as always, by government soldiers. But this time they were smartly dressedin new uniforms and shoes - a stark contrast to the ragged half-naked soldiers I was used to seeing. The only working vehicle in the district, a truck, transported us the 12 kilometres to town where evidence of the struggle between government troops and the guerrilla forces of the Mozambique National Resistance - better known as Renamo - was unmistakable. In recent years lie has been overrun by the rebels five times - twice in the 10 months prior to my latest visit. Destroyed and damaged buildings testify to the violence wreaked on the town and its thou- sands of inhabitants who have fled time and again, abandoning their meagre possessions. "He has become one of UNICEF'S main areas of work in the war-torn province. In a February attack, 62,000 displaced persons were forced to flee along with the rest of the population. The rebels stole or destroyed everything they could laytheir hands on, and when people were able to return they were dependent on outside assistance which could only be delivered by air. Hundreds of people died from hunger and disease before a government airlift, with support from UNICEF, could meet their needs. "When I visited the district in early May the scenes were pitiful. Thin children with swollen bellies and staring eyes sat motionless in front of pathetic hovels, and one man
analysis: The text describes a war-torn province in Mozambique, where UNICEF is providing humanitarian aid and relief to displaced persons and the local population. The article highlights the devastating effects of the war on the town and its inhabitants, including the destruction of buildings, displacement of people, and loss of life due to hunger and disease. The presence of UNICEF and the government airlift suggests that the focus is on providing emergency assistance and support to those affected by the conflict.