5 Million at Risk of Acute Hunger in Mozambique

Mozambique is experiencing an escalating food crisis, with nearly five million people expected to suffer from acute hunger by March 2025, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The worsening drought, driven by the El Niño phenomenon, has led to unprecedented levels of food insecurity, with 912,000 people already in the emergency phase—a fourfold increase from the previous season.

Another four million people are classified under the crisis phase, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian intervention.

Despite the scale of the crisis, humanitarian assistance remains critically underfunded. OCHA reported that only 391,000 people have received aid, with the hardest-hit areas including Manica and Sofala.

The funding gap is severe—only $28.7 million has been secured, accounting for just 13% of the $222 million required to adequately respond to the emergency.

Food security assessments conducted in October 2024 and July 2024 revealed that hunger levels are at their highest since 2017, exacerbated by climate shocks, ongoing conflicts, and rising food prices.

The 2023/2024 agricultural season suffered devastating losses, with over 60 districts affected by cyclones and tropical storms, while 37 districts faced extreme drought, severely impacting crop yields.

The crisis is further compounded by security concerns in several regions, where armed attacks have disrupted agricultural productivity and worsened living conditions.

Food prices have also soared—maize and millet costs have surged in southern and central markets, exceeding the five-year average, making essential food items increasingly unaffordable for struggling families.

OCHA data indicates that 33% of households in Manica, Sofala, and Inhambane lack maize reserves, while 70% of the population does not have enough food to last through the lean season.

Furthermore, 43% of Mozambicans are facing inadequate food consumption, with 9% classified as having a poor diet and 34% barely meeting minimum dietary needs.

The most impacted provinces include Tete (23%), Manica (17%), Cabo Delgado (15%), and Sofala (15%), where a significant percentage of households are relying on extreme survival tactics.

The situation in Tete and Cabo Delgado is particularly alarming, as 26% of families report using crisis and emergency coping strategies, signaling a dire need for immediate humanitarian intervention.