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Country analysis

Mozambique


Northern Mozambique is experiencing a humanitarian crisis resulting from the impact of natural hazards and an armed insurgency since 2017.

Mozambique is particularly prone to floods, cyclones, and droughts. Cyclones occur about four times a year in the country, affecting Nampula, Sofala, and Zambezia the most. These climate hazards have led to food insecurity, displacement, and the loss of lives and livelihoods.

Since 2017, there has been a violent insurgency by non-state armed groups in northern Mozambique, causing the mass displacement of over 850,500 people as at November 2023. Between October 2023 and March 2024, about 3.3 million people (20% of the country's analysed population) – more than 1.5 million in northern Mozambique alone – are expected to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity. Approximately 220,000 of these will face Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels countrywide. These figures are higher than during May–September 2023, when 2.6 million people (17% of the analysed population) experienced IPC 3 or worse levels. The increase is based on the forecasted depletion of food reserves and the impact of El Niño during the projection period, particularly in the southern and central parts of the country.

(WB accessed 08/02/2024, Worlddata.info accessed 25/01/2023, UNHCR accessed 07/02/2024, IPC 28/11/2023, ICG accessed 25/01/2023)

Northern Mozambique is experiencing a humanitarian crisis resulting from the impact of natural hazards and an armed insurgency since 2017.

Mozambique is particularly prone to floods, cyclones, and droughts. Cyclones occur about four times a year in the country, affecting Nampula, Sofala, and Zambezia the most. These climate hazards have led to food insecurity, displacement, and the loss of lives and livelihoods.

Since 2017, there has been a violent insurgency by non-state armed groups in northern Mozambique, causing the mass displacement of over 850,500 people as at November 2023. Between October 2023 and March 2024, about 3.3 million people (20% of the country's analysed population) – more than 1.5 million in northern Mozambique alone – are expected to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity. Approximately 220,000 of these will face Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels countrywide. These figures are higher than during May–September 2023, when 2.6 million people (17% of the analysed population) experienced IPC 3 or worse levels. The increase is based on the forecasted depletion of food reserves and the impact of El Niño during the projection period, particularly in the southern and central parts of the country.

(WB accessed 08/02/2024, Worlddata.info accessed 25/01/2023, UNHCR accessed 07/02/2024, IPC 28/11/2023, ICG accessed 25/01/2023)

Latest updates on country situation

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)

05 March 2024

Between 22 December 2023 and 3 March 2024, attacks and fear of attacks by non-state armed groups displaced approximately 113,000 people from Chiure, Ibo Island, Macomia, Mecufi, Mocimboa da Praia, and Muidumbe districts. The majority (62%) of the displaced were children, followed by women (23%) and men (13%). As a precautionary measure, on 3 March, major NGOs began evacuating their personnel from Ibo Island when the armed groups occupied and controlled Quirimba Island, a section of the same municipality located less than 15km away. Affected and displaced people require immediate attention, including health services and counselling to cope with the loss of family and property. Urgent needs include food, shelter, and NFIs. (IOM 05/03/2024, Club of Mozambique 04/03/2024, MSF 04/03/2024)

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.

Read more about the Index

MOZ012 - Drought

Last updated 16/08/2024


Drivers

Drought

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.4 High

Access constraints

1.0

MOZ011 - 2024 Rainy and Cyclone season

Last updated 29/10/2024


Drivers

Floods
Displacement
Cyclone

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.2 High

Access constraints

3.0

MOZ001 - Multiple Crises

Last updated 29/10/2024


Drivers

Conflict
Displacement
Cyclone

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.9 High

Access constraints

3.0

MOZ004 - Violent Insurgency in Cabo Delgado

Last updated 29/10/2024


Drivers

Conflict
Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.6 High

Access constraints

3.0

Analysis products
on Mozambique

Mozambique: conflict in Cabo Delgado

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. 

Conflict and violence
Mozambique: impact of the five-year conflict in Cabo Delgado

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.

Conflict and violence
Mozambique: Flooding in the central provinces

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.

Natural hazards
Mozambique: flooding in Maputo province and city

23 February 2023

Mozambique: flooding in Maputo province and city

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

Heavy rains between 7–11 February 2023 resulted in large-scale flooding across the southern region of Mozambique, particularly Maputo province and city. As at 18 February, more than 43,000 people were affected, including over 16,500 displaced people and ten recorded deaths. 

Natural hazards
Ripple effects of the conflict in Ukraine: truths and myths

22 December 2022

Ripple effects of the conflict in Ukraine: truths and myths

DOCUMENT / PDF / 4 MB

This report provides a commentary on relevant datasets as it examines trends related to the economic effects of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine on selected countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. 

Conflict and violenceEconomy
View more

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Cabo Delgado: health facilities under siege

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