Mozambique: Mid

Mozambique

HRP 2023 (Conflict in the northern Region)

The conflict in Cabo Delgado has had severe implications for the food security of the affected population. The protracted violence and insecurity have disrupted agricultural activities, causing widespread displacement, and hindering access to essential resources (farmland, water, sea, etc) for food production. Additionally, the displacement of people from their homes and farmlands has resulted in a significant loss of livelihoods, exacerbating the vulnerability of already food-insecure communities.

According to the latest available IPC, in the period of November 2022 to March 2023, there was approximately 3.15 million people facing high acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above), of which 398,000 face Emergency levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 4). While not all the districts in Cabo Delgado were covered (8 of 17), approx. 700,000 of these people in IPC3+ were located in this province, 900,000 in Nampula and roughly 50,000 in Niassa.

Since the outbreak of the conflict in 2017, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Cabo Delgado has risen dramatically. According to the latest DTM round 18, a total of 834,304 IDPs and 420,200 returnees in 231 locations, with the majority concentrated in Cabo Delgado. These IDPs have been forced to flee their homes, leaving behind their agricultural lands, livestock, and livelihoods. The disruption of farming activities and the loss of productive assets have severely affected their ability to meet their food needs.

Furthermore, the conflict has caused significant challenges for those who have managed to return to their districts of origin. The destruction of infrastructure, including markets and storage facilities, has disrupted local food systems, hindering the availability and accessibility of food. Many returnees face difficulties in rebuilding their lives and restarting agricultural activities due to the damage caused by the conflict. Food security among the conflict-affected population is a pressing concern. Displaced households rely on humanitarian assistance for their basic food needs. However, the prolonged nature of the conflict and the scale of displacement have strained the capacity of humanitarian agencies to provide sustained support. While food aid is crucial for meeting the immediate needs of vulnerable populations, long-term solutions are essential for restoring food security and self-sufficiency, and the role of the FSL is key to coordinate this response and optimize the forecasted limited resources.

Efforts are being made to address the food security challenges in Cabo Delgado. Humanitarian organizations, alongside the Mozambican government, are implementing programs that aim to restore and improve agricultural production in conflict-affected areas. These initiatives include the distribution of food assistance, as well as seeds, tools, and training on climate-resilient farming techniques. The complex and dynamic nature of the conflict poses significant challenges to achieving sustainable food security outcomes. Ongoing violence, restricted access to land, and limited infrastructure hinder the implementation of long-term solutions.

With the increased humanitarian needs countrywide, including the areas that will be affected by the drought that will bring El Niño in Southern region and the conflict affected and prone to climatic shocks areas of the Northern part of Mozambique, the need to continue with cluster coordination functions remains critical ana crucial.

Non-HRP response by FSC in 2023 (addendum HRP)

More than a million people across eight provinces of Mozambique – Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo Province, Maputo City, Sofala, Tete and Zambezia are bearing the brunt of the compounding effect of cholera, floods and cyclone Freddy. Freddy displaced over 184,000 people, who have sought shelter in accommodation centres across the affected districts. Cyclone Freddy destroyed over 129,000 homes, leaving more than 640,000 people homeless. The impact of the multiple crises, on top of the emergency in northern Mozambique, means that every province of Mozambique is affected.

Tropical cyclone Freddy, the longest-lasting and most energetic tropical cyclone on record, hit Mozambique twice, on 24 February and 11 March, with destructive winds and extreme rainfall. Freddy accumulated cyclone energy (index used to measure the energy released by a tropical cyclone) the equivalent of an average full North Atlantic hurricane season. Rainfall over the areas crossed by cyclone Freddy were on average 200 to 300 mm a day and reaching as high as 600 mm in some areas. An average rainy season across different areas of Mozamb ique’s range between 600 and 1,000 mm a day over six months.

The HRP Addendum for Freddy, Floods and Cholera presents the costed activities prioritized to respond to critical needs of 815,000 people in southern and central Mozambique, targeted for assistance from March to September 2023. The response will be geographically focused on the districts that were most affected by Freddy and areas affected by cholera, The objectives are in line with the HRP strategic objectives (page 8 of the HRP).

Preventing loss of lives through the provision of critical humanitarian assistance.

Providing life-sustaining assistance to enable people to restart their lives.

Addressing the protection risks and needs of the affected people.