Latest updates on country situation
17 December 2024
Tropical Cyclone Chido caused significant disruption in the Comoros, Malawi, Mayotte and Mozambique. In Mozambique, it made landfall on 15 December 2024 in Cabo Delgado province, killing at least 45, injuring 493, and affecting over 184,000 people. It damaged approximately 35,000 houses, 149 schools, and 48 health facilities, mostly in Chiure, Mecufi, and Pemba, which are facing utility outages and urgent protection needs. In Malawi, it had affected over 45,000 people across 16 districts by 18 December, with 13 fatalities and infrastructure damage. Heavy rains continue to threaten the population. In the Comoros, it hit Anjouan and Moheli, affecting over 64,000 residents, displacing about 140, and injuring five. It damaged over 218 houses, nine schools, and 45% of crops, with reports of landslides and strong winds. Across all regions, urgent needs include shelter, food, infrastructure repair, and risk mitigation. Access issues and rainfall hamper recovery efforts. (OCHA 17/12/2024, OCHA 18/12/2024, OCHA 16/12/2024)
29 October 2024
On 25 October 2024, the Norwegian Refugee Council suspended its operations in Mozambique as a result of escalating violence and deteriorating security conditions in conflict-affected provinces, particularly in northern Mozambique. This suspension will intensify the needs of those already facing the impacts of the country's severe humanitarian crisis, with people grappling with a combination of conflict, food insecurity, and climate-related disasters, such as droughts and recurrent flooding. (NRC 25/10/2024, WorldData accessed 30/10/2024, OCHA 21/08/2024)
15 October 2024
In 2024, the El Niño-induced drought in Mozambique significantly affected the agricultural sector, particularly crop production. Maize, the most important staple crop, was the most affected, with nearly 720,000 tonnes of production lost. The drought contributed to food insecurity and malnutrition, leading households to resort to coping strategies such as selling more animals, consuming seed stocks, purchasing food on credit, and borrowing food or money. (FAO 11/10/2024)
24 September 2024
In 2024, southern Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 100 years as a result of El Niño. Approximately 61 million people need assistance, with over 20 million experiencing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) food insecurity levels. Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have declared a state of emergency in response to the severe drought. There has also been a significant increase in malnutrition cases in Angola, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia, with expectations for the trend to continue into the first quarter of 2025. (OCHA 20/09/2024, OCHA 19/09/2024)
23 July 2024
El Niño-induced drought from December 2023 to February 2024 has resulted in an estimated 19% of crop being lost compared to the baseline production. A 25% reduction in the national planted hectarage has also been reported compared to 2023. The loss is anticipated to deplete the national food supply, likely heightening food and nutrition needs and increasing the demand for imported goods. (ECHO 23/07/2024)
14 May 2024
Between 10–12 May 2024, attacks and fear of attacks by non-state armed groups in Macomia district, Cabo Delgado, displaced over 750 people. They are sheltering in displacement sites and host communities in the districts of Ibo, Meluco, Metuge, and Muidumbe. Priority needs include protection, food, and NFIs. (IOM 14/05/2024, AllAfrica 10/05/2024, ECHO 13/05/2024)
19 March 2024
On 12 March 2024, Tropical Storm Filipo hit Inhambane province in southern Mozambique. As at 15 March, the storm had affected over 48,000 people in the provinces of Gaza, Inhambane, Maputo, and Sofala. The area dealing with the most impact is Maputo city, with 25,455 people affected. The storm has also caused significant infrastructure damage, destroying or damaging approximately 8,000 houses and affecting 146 schools (22,442 students), 51 health centres, 56 electric poles, and 19 roads. The impact of the storm has the potential to aggravate food insecurity, worsening the IPC projection of 3.3 million people facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse levels from October 2023 to March 2024. The floods, as well as El Niño-induced dry spells, have also affected crops during the planting season. The highest needs are education, shelter/NFIs, water purification, and hygiene kits. (OCHA 15/03/2024, IPC 28/11/2023, ABC 14/03/2024)
current crises
in
Mozambique
These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.
MOZ012 - Drought
Last updated 18/11/2024
Drivers
Drought
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
3.3 High
Access constraints
1.0
MOZ011 - 2024 Rainy and Cyclone season
Last updated 28/11/2024
Drivers
Floods
Displacement
Cyclone
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
3.1 High
Access constraints
2.0
MOZ001 - Multiple Crises
Last updated 28/11/2024
Drivers
Conflict
Displacement
Cyclone
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
3.8 High
Access constraints
3.0
MOZ004 - Violent Insurgency in Cabo Delgado
Last updated 28/11/2024
Drivers
Conflict
Displacement
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
3.5 High
Access constraints
3.0
Analysis products
on
Mozambique
20 December 2024
Mozambique: Escalating civil unrest leads to increased protection risks and poverty
DOCUMENT / PDF / 260 KB
This report provides an analysis of the risk of escalating civil unrest in Mozambique following the general elections on 9 October 2024. The report provides a brief of the current context in the country, identifies the factors that could lead to further civil unrest, and outlines key impacts should such a risk materialise, including effects on humanitarian operations.
19 December 2024
Mozambique: humanitarian impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido
DOCUMENT / PDF / 298 KB
On the morning of 15 December, Tropical Cyclone Chido made landfall in Cabo Delgado province, northern Mozambique, as a Category 4 cyclone. The cyclone caused high winds, heavy rainfall, and an increased risk of coastal flooding. By 17 December, 128,000 people (90,000 of whom are children) had been affected in Cabo Delgado province and 46,000 in Nampula province.
17 April 2024
Mozambique: conflict in Cabo Delgado
DOCUMENT / PDF / 430 KB
Since December 2023, the northern region of Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province has seen an escalation in attacks characterised by violence towards civilians and damage to houses, churches, schools, and health centres.
07 July 2023
Mozambique: impact of the five-year conflict in Cabo Delgado
DOCUMENT / PDF / 615 KB
In October 2017, violence erupted in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique, when armed men occupied the city of Mocimboa da Praia for two days and attacked three police stations, killing 17 people. The report aims to analyse the drivers of conflict in northern Mozambique, particularly in Cabo Delgado province, and their humanitarian impact. The report also includes an overview of people’s coping mechanisms following the conflict.
21 March 2023
Mozambique: Flooding in the central provinces
DOCUMENT / PDF / 318 KB
On 11 March 2023, Cyclone Freddy made its second landfall as a severe tropical cyclone on Mozambique’s Zambezia province. It brought heavy rains across Manica, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, and Zambezia provinces, affecting more than 250,000 people.
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