Mozambique

12 September 2023

Between July–August 2023, IOM identified more than 850,000 IDPs and 571,000 returnees in 325 locations across northern and central Mozambique. Children under 18 years comprise 49% of those affected, women comprise 30%, and men 21%. Of the IDPs, 55% are living in host communities, while 45% are in 191 displacement sites. Priority needs include income sources, NFIs, shelter, health, food, and WASH services. (IOM 12/09/2023, IOM 11/09/2023)

10 July 2023

An estimated 834,304 IDPs, including 420,200 returnees, were recorded in April 2023 in 221 locations in northern Mozambique. The conflict has affected 1.6 million people who need critical assistance and protection services. The significant increase in returnees is further straining the already scarce resources, limiting access to basic services, natural resources, and humanitarian assistance.
(WFP 10/07/2023, UNHCR Accessed, IOM Accessed 12/07/2023)

19 June 2023

As at June 2023, over 9,000 people remained displaced as a result of the impact of Cyclone Freddy, which made landfall on 24 February. The displaced population is sheltering in various locations across different provinces, with four sites located in Niassa, two in Sofala, and six in Zambezia. Most displaced people in 8 of the 12 displacement sites were not willing to return to their homes because of a lack of food, damaged houses, and a lack of materials to build. Their needs include food, WASH, shelter, education, and NFIs. (IOM 19/06/2023, OCHA 24/02/2023)

12 May 2023

In 2023, northern Mozambique is facing a critical humanitarian situation, with at least two million people in Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa requiring life-saving and life-sustaining assistance and protection. These needs arise from the impact of armed conflict, violence, and insecurity in the area. The number of people in need has increased by 25% compared to 2022. More than half of those in need are children, and over 60% of affected adults are women. Nearly 1.7 million people are facing acute food insecurity because of violence and displacement. Those in need require protection, food, health services, education, WASH, shelter, and NFIs. (OCHA 12/05/2023, OCHA 24/02/2023, OCHA 01/06/2022)

10 April 2023

Cyclone Freddy struck Mozambique twice, making landfall on 24 February 2023 and then again on 21 March, affecting 8 out of the 11 provinces in the country. The cyclone affected an estimated 1.1 million people, caused extensive damage to infrastructure, and destroyed 391,000 hectares of cropland, resulting in the loss of livelihoods and 53 lives. As at 10 April, approximately 57,000 individuals out of the 184,000 people displaced by the cyclone still resided in 33 accommodation sites across Inhambane, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, and Zambezia provinces. The cyclone affected women and children the most (respectively 33% and 44% of these groups). Those affected are in urgent need of food, shelter, WASH, health, protection, and NFIs. (IOM 10/04/2023, AP 23/03/2023, PBS 11/03/2023)

04 April 2023

Mozambique is facing an alarming rise in food insecurity, with an estimated 3.15 million people experiencing severe acute food insecurity – i.e. Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse levels – from November 2022 to March 2023. This includes 2.8 million people facing IPC 3 and 400,000 experiencing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels.

The situation has worsened by about 70% compared to the same period in 2022 mainly as a result of cyclones, crop loss increasing food prices, and escalating insecurity in northern Mozambique displacing people and leading to higher unemployment rates.

8 out of the 17 districts in Cabo Delgado province, considered to be among the most food-insecure, were not assessed because of the absence of data resulting from access constraints, which could reflect an even higher number of food-insecure people. There is an urgent need for food, health services, and protection for the people affected.
(IPC 29/03/2023, ECHO 03/04/2023, OCHA 30/03/2023)

29 March 2023

Mozambique is facing an alarming rise in food insecurity, with an estimated 3.15 million people experiencing severe acute food insecurity – i.e. Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse levels – from November 2022 to March 2023. This includes 2.8 million people facing IPC 3 and 400,000 experiencing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels.

The situation has worsened by about 40% compared to the April–September 2022 period, mainly as a result of cyclones, crop loss increasing food prices, and escalating insecurity in northern Mozambique.
(IPC 29/03/2023, IPC 07/12/2021)