In conflict-hit Mozambique, a tropical storm warns of hunger – and the next cyclone
Story | 18 March 2024
Emergency
Mozambique
- 3.3 million
- food-insecure people
- Nearly 668,000 people
- reached in September 2024
- US$236.4 million
- required for emergency response until April 2025
The conflict in northern Mozambique is disrupting livelihoods and limiting access to basic services for internally displaced people and local communities.
The deterioration of the security situation in the first half of 2024 resulted in renewed sporadic displacements, and there were still over 576,000 displaced people and 611,000 returnees by July 2024.
The Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) projects that almost 1.5 million people in the north will experience acute food insecurity between October 2024 and March 2025.
A severe food security crisis is unfolding across southern Africa, caused by an El Niño-induced drought. In Mozambique, as per the latest IPC numbers, during the lean season (October 2024–March 2025), almost 3.3 million people are expected to be food insecure.
This concern is heightened by the results of the 2024 Post-Shock Food Security and Nutrition Assessment conducted by the Government of Mozambique and partners, which shows that 64 percent of surveyed producers have been affected by drought – particularly in the central and southern regions.
What the World Food Programme is doing to respond to the Mozambique emergency
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Northern emergency response
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WFP continues to provide food assistance to the most vulnerable people, but with a reduced frequency due to reduced funding. During the lean season (October 2024–March 2025), WFP plans to assist around 500,000 people in Cabo Delgado. School meals, acute malnutrition treatment and income-generation agricultural activities will continue. A vulnerability-based targeting exercise is in place to ensure the most vulnerable people are not left behind.
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El Niño drought response
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WFP has designed a response plan to target 1.1 million drought-affected and most food-insecure people. In coordination with Government and partners, immediate life-saving food assistance and school meals will be provided. Local health authorities will be supported to expand the management of moderate acute malnutrition. Agriculture microinsurance payouts have been activated for vulnerable smallholder farmers.
How you can help
Please donate today to provide life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable people across country. WFP requires US$236.4 million to deliver humanitarian emergency assistance to conflict and climate-affected people up to April 2025.
Donate now