Introduction
The security situation in Cabo Delgado, Northern Mozambique, despite recent improvements, remains volatile, and 1.7 million people remain in need of humanitarian assistance and protection.
Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the armed violence: conflict-affected populations are suffering from a lack of access to basic services, and are facing numerous protection risks.
Moreover, natural multi-hazard events, which are increasingly frequent and violent, exacerbate food insecurity and the livelihoods of the population. An estimated 554,000 people need humanitarian assistance, due to natural hazards in the rainy/cyclonic season that runs from October to April.
What are the needs?
In 2023, Cabo Delgado saw a considerable number of returns of internally displaced persons (IDPs), alongside some gains in reinstating security in the province. However, the return of IDPs did not mean the end of vulnerability, as these areas were already underserved before the conflict.
While attacks from non-state armed groups are still occurring, returns should be voluntary and dignified, and only take place when security and safety conditions are met and services are available.
Humanitarian needs are huge, while the crisis continues to be underfunded. In Northern Mozambique, some 1.7 million people require protection, food assistance, nutrition services, health, education, water and sanitation, and shelter.
Over 3 million people are currently facing severe food insecurity, more than half of them in Cabo Delgado.
Climate change has increased the recurrence and intensity of natural hazards, including floods, cyclones, and drought. In February 2023, tropical storm Freddy caused heavy rains and flooding and almost 200 deaths, affecting nearly 1.1 million people and further worsening the country’s cholera outbreak, while the forecast for El Nino for 2023-2024 has the potential to exacerbate the drought situation.
How are we helping?
For 2024, the initial allocation for humanitarian assistance to Mozambique is €16.5 million. This includes €5 million for education in emergencies. A separate budget will also be allocated for disaster preparedness, which remains a key sector for the SAIO region and for Mozambique.
Through the 2024 budget, DG ECHO will continue to support lifesaving and life sustaining multisectoral humanitarian assistance directed to the most vulnerable people affected by armed violence in Cabo Delgado, including the IDPs, returnees, and their host communities.
Following the logic of the basic needs approach, priority will be given to covering the basic needs of the most vulnerable, underserved, and hard-to-reach communities in the conflict hotspots.
The assistance includes access to food, water and sanitation, health, nutrition, and protection services.
Education is particularly relevant, as over half of the internally displaced people are children, as is support for disaster preparedness.
In 2023, the EU made an overall allocation of €26.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Mozambique. The 2023 package included multi-sectoral humanitarian assistance, disaster preparedness interventions, and specific funds allocated to emergency response following tropical cyclone Freddy.
The EU also continues to support humanitarian advocacy efforts to promote compliance with International Humanitarian Law, full humanitarian access, and the centrality of protection.
In response to the crisis in Northern Mozambique, the EU is implementing an integrated approach, encompassing peacebuilding, security, development, and humanitarian interventions, looking at complementarity and synergies between the different EU instruments.
Last updated: 25/04/2024
Facts & figures
About 2.3 million people require life-saving and life-sustaining humanitarian assistance and protection (HRNP 2024)
Over 3.1 million people face severe food insecurity, half of them living in conflict affected province of Cabo Delgado
Nearly 550,000 remain displaced by the conflict in Cabo Delgado (IOM)
EU humanitarian funding:
€16.5 million in 2024
€26.5 million in 2023