Mozambique: Access Snapshot - Nampula Province, as of 28 February 2025

Since early 2025, humanitarian operations in Nampula province have faced severe disruptions due to increasing security challenges driven by post-electoral violence, clashes between security forces and non-State armed groups (NSAGs) and the compounded effects of Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi. Limited availability of relief supplies, increased insecurity and escalating violence have significantly hindered has severely obstructed humanitarian access, leaving thousands without essential assistance.

Clashes between Mozambique Security Forces (FDS) and local self-defense groups (Naparama) groups blocked aid deliveries to 160,000 people affected by Cyclone Chido in Erati and Memba districts. Meanwhile, protests and unrest disrupted critical supply routes from Nacala port to Cabo Delgado, delaying essential humanitarian shipments. Roadblocks in Namialo and Rope delayed aid deliveries, and in one incident, protesters set fire to a humanitarian truck carrying 30 metric tonnes of agricultural seeds, deepening food insecurity.

Security concerns intensified after an attack in Namapa (Erati district) on 25 December, where a Naparama self-defense group killed five security personnel and destroyed key infrastructure, including a police station, courthouse, and government medical warehouse. The same day, a non-state armed group (NSAG) abducted 15 children in Memba. In response, national security forces launched a military campaign, restricting humanitarian access in Erati and Memba for nearly two months.

The situation worsened as result of the impact of Cyclone Chido (December 2024) and Cyclone Dikeledi (January 2025), which together affected over 284,000 people across nine districts. Infrastructure damage, particularly along Road N104, severely disrupted travel and aid delivery. In Angoche, four sub-districts became inaccessible, impacting over 23,990 people. Some areas, including Aúbe and Natiquinde, could only be reached by boat, while Sangage and Namaponda were accessible only by motorbike. Flooding further isolated localities in Moma, Mogincual, and Larde, worsening the humanitarian crisis. Despite the growing humanitarian needs response efforts are severely lagging. Only 14 percent (33,000 of 234,000 targeted) have been assisted due to limited resources and humanitarian footprint.

Cholera control efforts struggle due to funding shortages, competing priorities, and low community acceptance. This distrust mirrors grievances seen in post-election protests, where attacks on aid workers stemmed from perceptions of inadequate, unequal assistance and alignment with the government. In Mogovolas, false claims about cholera led to widespread fear, forcing humanitarian partners to suspend cholera response operations for 10 weeks. Health workers were attacked, a cholera treatment center, warehouse, and vehicles were destroyed, and humanitarian staff had to be relocated. The outbreak later spread to two additional districts, yet services in Mogovolas remained suspended.

Efforts to restore humanitarian access continue. In response to the worsening conditions, OCHA deployed an Access and Community Engagement mission to enable people’s access to aid in most affected districts. In February, OCHA conducted an orientation session on community engagement attended by 18 humanitarian partners and INGD, focusing on community acceptance and principled humanitarian action. By late February, humanitarian access gradually resumed following assessments by UNDSS and UNHCR, and the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD). However, the situation remains fragile, requiring continuous engagement with communities and authorities to ensure safe and sustained aid delivery.