Non-state armed group attacks on civilian populations and clashes with security forces in northern Mozambique have resulted in significant civilian casualties and exacerbated widespread food insecurity in Cabo Delgado Province and surrounding areas since 2017. More than 1 million people were internally displaced in Mozambique as of November 2022, marking the highest level of conflict-induced displacement in the country since the outbreak of violence in 2017. USAID partners in northern Mozambique continue to support at-risk internally displaced persons and host community members with agriculture, food, health, protection, shelter, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) assistance.
Mozambique also experiences recurrent climatic shocks—including droughts, floods, and cyclones—that pose serious threats to food security and health outcomes. In February and March 2023, Tropical Cyclone Freddy made two consecutive landfalls over central Mozambique, resulting in at least 183 deaths, affecting more than 1 million people, and damaging and destroying critical civilian infrastructure and cropland in eight of the country’s 11 provinces, as of March 31. On March 3, U.S. Ambassador Peter H. Vrooman issued a declaration of humanitarian need due to the effects of Tropical Storm Freddy and floods in Mozambique. In response, USAID is providing support to address the immediate needs—including shelter and WASH needs—of storm-affected communities in central and southern Mozambique. USAID also supports early recovery, risk reduction, and resilience programs that build the capacity of communities to prepare for and respond to future shocks, including by promoting conservation agricultural practices and establishing disaster risk reduction and management committees.
