Africa-Press – Mozambique. Highlights
Situation Update
Food Security and Nutrition Assessments
• The latest IPC results indicate that during the lean season (October 2025 – March 2026), over 2.6 million people are expected to face acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3+), including +170,000 people classified as severely food insecure (IPC Phase 4). Protracted conflict and three consecutive cyclones in the north, together with considerable price increases for several food commodities, continue to drive food insecurity.
• The average prevalence of acute malnutrition among children aged 6–59 months in the post-shock period is estimated at 4 percent. During the lean season, approximately 115,000 children under 5 years of age and over 29,000 pregnant or breastfeeding women will require treatment for acute malnutrition.
El Niño (Drought)
• Overall, over 3 million people faced food insecurity during the past lean season in districts affected by intense and severe drought, with 1.1 million in urgent need of assistance.
• Food and cash assistance to drought-affected populations in central and southern Mozambique started in November 2024 and was finalized in July with over 250,000 reached in the most severely affected districts.
• The nutrition response will continue in the coming months with over 15,000 children and pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls reached so far under the National Nutrition Rehabilitation Programme (PRN).
• In Sofala province, WFP finished the second cycle of distributions of take-home rations in Caia district under the School Feeding in Emergency and Recovery Programme, reaching over 8,700 students.
• WFP supported the government to finalize the implementation of drought anticipatory action for the 2024/2025 season activation, assisting 180,000 people with cash-based transfers through the social protection programme and supporting INGD to assist 1,000,000 people with asset creation activities.
Cyclone Response (Tropical Cyclone Jude)
• In Nampula, WFP delivered assistance to over 62,000 people affected by the Tropical Cyclone Jude in the districts of Mossuril and Ilha de Moçambique through value vouchers and cash transfers. Of these, over 17,000 people were provided with cash transfers to help them meet their urgent food and basic needs.
• The second out of a total of three cycles of assistance is scheduled to start in mid-August.
Conflict response
• For the distribution cycle July-August, WFP reduced the caseload for the regular humanitarian assistance in Cabo Delgado from 420,000 to 344,000 people due to limited resources. The impact of disrupted assistance could force many to adopt harmful coping mechanisms (such as early marriage, child labour, etc.). This could exacerbate intercommunal tensions in fragile contexts, increasing the likelihood of violence.
• The reduction in assistance occurs amid continuing conflict and displacement. WFP’s operations in Quissanga district were suspended on 05 August due to reported NSAG presence. Distributions in Macomia began on 08 August but are currently relying solely on the available stock within the district, while additional deliveries remain on hold due to limited access and insecurity.
• The attacks of Non-State Armed Groups (NSAG) in Ancuabe, Chiure and Muidumbe, resulted in the displacement of 57,000 people between 28 July and 03 August. In response to that and in addition to its regular food assistance, WFP stepped in to support the newly displaced with immediate response rations. The assistance was provided under the Joint Response Programme (together IOM, UNICEF, and UNHCR) reaching over 30,000 people in Chiure district. WFP provided 15-days food rations, while partners distributed shelter and hygiene items.
• JRP partners coordinated closely with the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM), another mechanism to support the newly displaced led by Non-Governmental Organizations, to ensure maximum coverage and impact.
• WFP also continues its nutrition programmes in the North, with around 6,000 children and women benefitting from supplementation under the PRN in July 2025.
Resources
• For the next six months (September 2025 – February 2026), WFP needs USD160 million to continue its activities in the country. Resources are at a minimum level and assistance remains highly prioritized.
• The humanitarian operations in conflict-affected Cabo Delgado are critically underfunded and another reduction of the number of people assisted is planned for November, if no additional resources are confirmed.
• For the cyclone response, WFP only managed to secure funds to assist some 200,000 people while over 470,000 were targeted by the Food Security and Livelihoods Cluster under the Tropical Cyclones Flash Appeal.
• The Drought Appeal is also facing a significant funding shortfall with only USD 33 million (15 percent of the required USD 222 million) secured.
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