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Current Requirements (US$)$352.1 million
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Current Requirements (US$)$133.1 million
Crisis overview
The compound effects of armed conflict in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province, and vulnerability to natural hazards countrywide continue to drive humanitarian needs.
In 2024, renewed conflict in Cabo Delgado increased vulnerabilities across Mozambique. Grave violations of children's rights quadrupled in the first half of the year, food insecurity affected one in three people, and reports of child soldier recruitment by non-State armed groups (NSAGs) and attacks on schools escalated. Nearly 200,000 people were internally displaced in the first five months alone – more than in the previous three years combined. An estimated 580,000 people remain displaced, predominantly women and children, with the highest concentrations in Pemba, Metuge, and Macomia. Some 610,000 returnees are in conflict-affected district capitals and remain vulnerable without access to basic services or stable livelihoods.
As displacement becomes more protracted, many internally displaced persons (IDPs) intend to stay and integrate locally, but conditions in host communities are challenging, and returning remains aspirational. Displaced people who intend to return are partially driven to do so by the lack of opportunities and unfavourable conditions in the place of displacement. Virtually all returnees, despite difficult conditions, plan to remain in the absence of further attacks.
The NSAGs are demonstrating increased capacity for coordinated attacks including use of military-grade-weapons including use of Improvised Explosive Devises (IEDs). Incidents in Chiúre and Macomia have caused widespread displacement and damage to infrastructure, including humanitarian supplies, and prolonged school closures. Complicating matters, In July, Mozambique's defense forces, with support from Rwanda, launched operations to reclaim NSAG-controlled areas, resulting in civilian deaths and displacements.
Macomia, Cabo Delgado, Mozambique
An IDP woman carries a sack of food received by WFP.
WFP/Alfredo ZunigaFunding shortfalls have hampered humanitarian aid, limiting food distribution to every other month at only 39 per cent of required caloric intake. The insufficiency is deepening hunger and malnutrition levels, with tensions among communities rising over targeting and assistance. By August 2024, humanitarian partners reached an estimated 1.28 million people, including 669,000 women and over 733,000 children, prioritizing (IDPs), returnees and host communities, but aid remains sporadic and insufficient.
Climate shocks compound the crisis. Mozambique, highly vulnerable to extreme weather, faced a severe El Niño-induced drought in 2024, leaving 1.8 million people in IPC3+ (including 510,000 in IPC4) levels. A drought appeal was launched in 2024 and it runs until August 2025, to reach 1.4 million people in the most affected districts. The looming threat of La Niña in November 2024-January 2025 brings anticipated heavy rains and potential flooding to already drought-affected areas. The National Institute for Disaster Management estimates that at least 2.2 million people will be at risk of urban floods, drought, cyclones and strong winds during the coming rainy season.
Both conflict and climate-related crises are exposing women and girls to enhanced risks of gender-based violence (GBV), harmful practices, negative coping strategies, with limited access to essential health, nutrition, protection and sanitation services.
The 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan require $485 million to meet the most urgent humanitarian needs: $326 million for conflict, $17 million for readiness to respond to disasters, $7.5 million is for anticipatory action, and $1.9 million for public health emergency preparedness, as well as $133 million for the drought response. Humanitarian partners aim to adopt a more proactive, risk-informed approach to expand anticipatory action across areas at risk of hazards, including cyclones, floods and cholera.
Cabo Delgado, Mozambique
Ms. Ana, a mental health nurse, works at Hospital Rural Mocímboa da Praia.
UNFPAResponse priorities in 2025
By the end of August 2024, 1.28 million people were reached with some form of assistance across the northern provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Niassa, including 669,000 women and 733,000 children. The response in Cabo Delgado and Nampula was multisectoral, while in Niassa, only education, and food security and livelihoods clusters responded.
The response focuses on Cabo Delgado, where people are most impacted by conflict, including displacement levels, and the severity and the driver of needs (conflict versus underdevelopment). Solutions are also being pursued for IDPs in Niassa and Nampula.
The multisectoral needs analysis and sector-specific indicators formed the basis of the joint intersectoral analysis. The information was used to assess the severity of needs, complemented by an analysis of development interventions, including solutions investments and district profiles. Despite significant infrastructure rehabilitation, many services remain non- functional particularly in return areas where conflict renders people extremely vulnerable.
Mocimboa Sede, Mozambique
Women take part in socio-economic activities.
UNFPAIn 2025, the humanitarian partners will target more than 2 million of the 2.5 million people in need. Priority will be given to vulnerable groups, especially children, women and girls and people with disabilities in districts most affected by conflict: Macomia, Mocimboa da Praia, Nangade and Quissanga. Key priorities for the drought response include Food Security and livelihoods, nutrition, WASH, and protection, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.
Food security and livelihood partners will distribute and promote the use of short-cycle and drought-tolerant crop seeds like. maize, sorghum, millet, alongside water-harvesting and conservation practices. Nutritional support will target children and pregnant and breastfeeding women, emphasizing the distribution of specialized nutrition commodities. WASH support will address access to potable water and safe sanitation, particularly in cholera hotspots. Protection efforts will strengthen government institutions to support the safety and well-being of affected children and families.
Intersectional factors will be considered to ensure assistance is gender- responsive, inclusive and age-appropriate. Meanwhile, support for voluntary integration of IDPs, with around 250,000 living in IDP sites, will continue. Given the potential for new needs arising from conflict or natural hazards, rapid response mechanisms will be strengthened to allow immediate lifesaving assistance.
To enhance response efforts, a common pipeline has been established to address both conflict and disasters, in case of large-scale events. Minimum preparedness and response actions have also been developed for each sector.
Financial requirements
The 2025 HNRP and FA combined seek $485 million to respond to the most urgent needs, marking a 15 per cent reduction from last year as a result of rigorous prioritization. The 2025 HNRP takes a hybrid approach and includes costed activities as well as projects. The funding will also bolster local capacities and complement the Government of Mozambique’s efforts to address the pressing needs of the most vulnerable populations.
Evolution of the humanitarian response
11-Feb-2026
Evolution of the humanitarian response
| Year | Type | People in need | People targeted | Requirements ($) | Funding ($) | % Funded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 |
2.4 million
|
1.7 million
|
$534.3 million
|
$16.4 million
|
3.1%
|
|
| 2025 |
1.3 million
|
1.1 million
|
$352.1 million
|
$122.2 million
|
34.7%
|
|
| 2025 |
3 million
|
1.4 million
|
$133.1 million
|
$10.8 million
|
8.1%
|
|
| 2025 |
1 million
|
0.7 million
|
$197.5 million
|
$26.6 million
|
13.5%
|
|
| 2024 |
2.3 million
|
1.7 million
|
$413.4 million
|
$175.3 million
|
42.4%
|
|
| 2024 |
393.8 thousand
|
297.4 thousand
|
$89 million
|
$20.2 million
|
22.6%
|
|
| 2023 |
2 million
|
1.6 million
|
$512.9 million
|
$213.8 million
|
41.7%
|
|
| 2023 |
1 million
|
0.8 million
|
$138 million
|
$32.7 million
|
23.7%
|
|
| 2022 |
1.5 million
|
1.2 million
|
$388.5 million
|
$272.3 million
|
70.1%
|
|
| 2022 |
0.6 million
|
248.4 thousand
|
$48.1 million
|
$22.9 million
|
47.5%
|
2024 in review: Response highlights and consequences of inaction
Response highlights
By August 2024, some 1.28 million people were reached, including 669,000 women and 733,000 children. People reached included IDPs, returnees, and host communities.
Food security
In Cabo Delgado, between January and July 2024, food security and livelihoods (FSL) partners reached 547,353 unique beneficiaries across 14 districts of Cabo Delgado (Ancuabe, Balama, Chiure, Ibo, Macomia, Mecufi, Metuge, Mocimboa da Praia, Montepuez, Mueda, Muidumbe, Namuno, Nangade and Pemba), accounting for only 12.83 per cent of the food needs of the targeted people.
Nutrition
445,000 women and children received nutrition services.
Water, sanitation and hygiene
345,000 people received clean and safe water.
Shelter and NFIs
180,000 people received shelter and NFIs assistance.
Education
143,000 people received non-formal learning opportunities and access to formal education services in Cabo Delgado Niassa and Nampula.
Organizations
Of the 72 humanitarian organizations coordinating assistance through the HNRP, 25 per cent are national non-governmental organizations (NNGOs). Despite their significant presence, NNGOs received less than one percent of the humanitarian funding, primarily through sub-grants from UN agencies. This highlights a critical gap in direct funding to local organizations that are often at the forefront of response efforts.
Food Security
In 2024, food shortages during the lean season drove prices to their peak, making it increasingly difficult for impoverished families to access food from markets. An estimated 73.4 per cent of Mozambique’s population lives in poverty. Women and girls face disproportionate challenges, including risks related to food security, nutrition, health, protection and WASH. Limited access to water and food, increase the burden of unpaid care work. Vulnerable groups such as children, elderly, and people with disabilities were unable to meet basic needs, leaving them at heightened risk of severe humanitarian crises.
Consequences of inaction
Due to underfunding:
Food security and livelihood
Due to funding constraints, the FSL response in Cabo Delgado remained largely inadequate with less than 15 per cent of needs being met during the first six months of 2024.
Nutrition
More than 107,900 people, including 53,982 children under five and 26,991 pregnant and lactating women, did not receive nutritional support.
Protection
400,000 IDPs and returnees did not receive essential protection assistance (including GBV and child protection) services. Only 6 per cent of women and girls in need received specialized GBV case management.
Food
Food aid was severely reduced and less than 15 per cent of needs met.
Water, sanitation and hygiene
WASH assistance in Ibo was halted.
Mental health services
Most affected people cannot access mental health services due to funding shortages forcing adults, women and children to resort to harmful coping mechanisms with a potential risk for longer term effects.
Civil documentation
41 per cent of affected people are unable to access basic services due to the lack of civil documentation.
Due to access restrictions and impediments:
Humanitarian assistance
76,000 people did not receive assistance due to the suspension of humanitarian activities in Macomia.
Road
Road access constraints because of rains delayed delivery of assistance to 21,000 people in Meluco by 4 months.
School
Due to conflict, 24 schools were damaged impacting over 2,500 school children.
Health and education
Three health facilities and one school were used for military purposes, impacting access to health and education services.
Civilian casualties
IED incidents on main supply roads, near IDP sites, schools, and in farms resulted in civilian casualties. 61 per cent of civilian casualties were children and 87 per cent were civilians.
Humanitarian workers
Humanitarian workers were directly affected by conflict.