Mozambique: Cabo Delgado, Nampula & Niassa Humanitarian Snapshot, April 2025 [EN/PT]

The humanitarian situation in northern Mozambique, particularly in Cabo Delgado and Niassa provinces, worsened significantly in April 2025 due to escalating violence by non-State armed groups (NSAGs), resulting in widespread displacement and increasing protection concerns. Between January and April, approximately 43,000 people were displaced across Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Niassa, with Ancuabe alone recording over 23,000 newly displaced people. NSAG activity in Niassa’s Special Reserve in April displaced 1,000 people in Mecula. The majority of the displaced are women and children, who face increased risks of gender-based violence, family separation, and limited access to essential services.

A recurring pattern of displacement has emerged, with many conflict-affected individuals remaining in their communities and temporarily fleeing to nearby bush areas during attacks, only to return home shortly afterward. Approximately half of the conflict-affected districts reported this pattern. Rapid Response Mechanisms (RRM) and the Joint Response Plan (JRP) provided critical first-line support to newly displaced individuals and severely affected communities. Between January and April, 53,000 people were reached; 47,500 people (9,449 households) through RRM across five districts with food, shelter, non food items, jerrycans, and protection services; another 3,750 people (750 households) in Macomia and 2,025 people (405 households) in Mecula received support through the JRP with food, shelter and WASH.

By the end of April, humanitarian partners had provided some form of humanitarian assistance to approximately 54 per cent of the targeted population under the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP). However, the response remains severely underfunded, with 7 per cent of the required funding received for Cabo Delgado as of April. Security concerns and logistical constraints continue to limit the reach and effectiveness of aid operations.

In addition to the conflict response, humanitarian efforts continued in cyclone-affected areas following storms Chido, Dikeledi and Jude. Overall, a quarter (349,000) of the 921,000 people targeted has been reached. In Cabo Delgado, emergency response started as Cyclone Chido hit using available supplies and capacity in Cabo Delgado. Early recovery should start soon, as the Housing and Building Damage Assessment and Socio-Economic Impact assessment has been completed.

In Nampula, access impediments and the ongoing financial crisis limited rapid response supplies and operational capacity. Nonetheless, anticipatory actions led by INGD—with support from WFP, CERF, and others—helped mitigate the impact of cyclones Dikeledi and Jude. Early warning systems and timely interventions enabled many at-risk communities to stay in place and avoid displacement, underscoring the importance of preparedness in reducing humanitarian impact.

Localization efforts to improve the reach of the humanitarian response continue. Over the past two years, three pooled funds—Save the Children’s Fundo de Assistência Social Transformadora, IOM’s Rapid Response Fund, and OCHA’s Mozambique Humanitarian Fund—have advanced localization by expanding direct funding to national responders. Over 40 NNGOs underwent capacity assessments, with 29 found eligible for grants. More than 30 were trained on project design, financial integrity, reporting, supply chain, PSEA, AAP, and feedback mechanisms. Eligible partners were also encouraged to join the International NGO Safety Organization (INSO) for security updates and training. To date, a total of US$50,000 has been disbursed.