Mozambique

Most people cannot afford the minimum costs for an adequately diversified diet. Coupled with other factors – such as high rates of infectious and water-borne diseases and limited access to health services, water and sanitation – this lies at the roots of persistently high levels of malnutrition, which affects 43 percent of children under 5, with peaks of 46 percent in rural areas.

Similarly, food insecurity also varies considerably across regions as shocks affect different locations to different degrees. Over 1.6 million people are at risk of acute food insecurity,  and this is expected to rise to up to 1.9 million during the lean season, between September 2019 and March 2020.

The current level of food insecurity was caused by multiple shocks. In 2019, Mozambique suffered from a lack of rainfall, extreme rains, cyclones, floods, pests, and insecurity in the northern areas. Poor performance of the rainy season in the south and the impact of cyclones Idai and Kenneth in the central and northern parts of the country resulted in major agricultural losses, destruction of infrastructure, assets and livelihoods, internal displacement and other damages.  As of August 2019, 2.5 million people were in need of assistance.

Mozambique is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. It is highly vulnerable to extreme climatic conditions which destroy infrastructure and restrict economic growth, hindering efforts to achieve environmental sustainability and to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. Although the southern and central regions are prone to drought, floods frequently occur along major river basins and in poorly-drained urban settlements. Two out of three people live in coastal areas and are vulnerable to rapid-onset disasters such as cyclones, storms and flash floods.

In response to these challenges, the Government of Mozambique has recognized food and nutrition security as key priorities within its Five-Year Plan, which emphasizes the importance of improved access to food, living conditions and the development of human capital.

WFP has been present in Mozambique since 1977 and works to support and add value to the Government’s Zero Hunger agenda, with a focus on improving the food security and strengthening the resilience of individuals and communities, in the face of multiple shocks and stressors.