Mozambique - Cabo Delgado, Nampula & Niassa Humanitarian Snapshot, As of May 2025 [EN/PT]

Mozambique is witnessing a notable shift in displacement dynamics, marked by a steady return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their areas of origin. According to the latest IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Round 22 report, conducted in February, 609,243 people remain displaced across the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Niassa while 701,462 have returned—reflecting an 18 per cent decrease in IDPs and a 15 per cent increase in returnees since the previous round (June 2024). Cabo Delgado Province remains the epicenter of displacement, hosting 70 per cent of all IDPs and 94 per cent of returnees. The majority of displaced populations continue to reside in host communities (48 per cent), with the remaining 52 per cent in displacement sites. While conflict continues to drive displacement in the north, climatic and environmental shocks remain the primary drivers in central and southern Mozambique. Despite growing returns, humanitarian conditions in some areas remain critical.

In early May, OCHA, UNDSS, WFP, and UNHCR conducted the first multisectoral mission in five years to Mucojo in Macomia District, once a non-State armed group stronghold. A total of 16,600 people have returned. Food insecurity and lack of services in Macomia—were cited by returnees as key reasons for returning. The area remains severely underserved: there are no functioning schools or health services, families rely on unsafe water sources, and shelter remain. Fishing is the main livelihood, but the local economy is nearly nonexistent, with only one shop operational.

The situation in Mucojo exemplifies the challenges faced by returnees who after having endured displacement and deprivation returns to areas of origin where the provision of basic services is non-existent making their returns fragile. Cash assistance has proven essential in reaching vulnerable populations in hard-to-access areas. Since early May, over 158,000 people in Cabo Delgado have received aid, including three rounds of food support via cash vouchers in Muidumbe and Nangade. In Muidumbe, 6,320 people also received multipurpose cash transfers. Flexible cash assistance is welcomed by local authorities and advocated by partners to overcome access constraints. In Muadi site, Nangade, 1,305 newly displaced people received cash aid. Consultation held with Macomia IDPs on resettlement options.

On 22 May, OCHA led an inter-cluster mission to Macomia district to consult with IDPs regarding planned resettlement, amid severe overcrowding and limited services at the current IDP site located a school, where 3,046 families (about 15,230 people) have been living since April 2021. The mission observed critical gaps in water, sanitation, shelter, and health services, compounded by cultural and ethnic tensions. In response, district authorities proposed relocating willing families to two alternative sites. So far, 508 families have agreed and begun preparing land and constructing shelters. IDPs have called for sustained support in shelter, WASH, and livelihood sectors to ensure a more stable future. Clusters have been requested to mobilize existing resources to respond to the critical gaps, while an allocation from the Mozambique Humanitarian Fund is being finalized with grants to be implemented in Macomia (and Quissanga) by local NGOs.