Mozambique: Cabo Delgado, Nampula & Niassa Provinces Humanitarian Snapshot, As of 31 October 2025 [EN/PT]

In October, new escalation of violence in Cabo Delgado and Nampula triggered new waves of displacement. The most affected districts included Ancuabe, Balama, Chiure, Mocímboa da Praia, Montepuez in Cabo Delgado – and Erati and Memba in Nampula Province. According to IOM-DTM, an estimated 230,000 people were forced to leave their homes between January and October 2025. Approximately 185,000 of these movements occurred between July and October alone. Many others remained trapped due to prohibitive costs of transport to move and perception that no other location offered safety, as NSAGs operated in nearly all districts of Cabo Delgado.

Humanitarian mission exposes alarming devastation in Memba. OCHA and UNICEF conducted a mission to Nampula on 16 October to assess conditions in Memba district’s Lúrio and Chipene posts following NSAG attacks. The situation was alarming: the villages of Nacuto (278 households) and Minhanha (32 households) were completely destroyed; homes, a primary school, and a church were burned, and surrounding villages were vandalized.

The response took place through the rapid response mechanisms and the regular cluster response. The Joint Response Programme provided assistance in Mecufi, Nangade, and Mueda (Cabo Delgado), as well as in Memba and Erati (Nampula province). This effort was carried out by WFP, IOM, UNICEF, and UNHCR. Overall, a total 24,460 people received aid in the form of food, shelter/NFI, and WASH/hygiene kits. During these interventions, protection-related activities were also conducted. Additionally, in Nampula province, UNFPA provided dignity kits as part of the assistance. The Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) activated three alerts across the districts of Ancuabe, Balama, Mecufi, Metuge and Montepuez, which resulted in five interventions from four organisations (ACF, Acted, SCI and SI). In total, 6,740 people received assistance, including multipurpose vouchers, food, survival food kits, survival hygiene kits, and survival shelter/NFI kits.

Protection concerns remain acute. During an OCHA-led mission to Mocímboa da Praia, women reported taking high risks to access food, as men and children avoid fields due to fear of attacks. Survivors recounted cases of sexual violence and abuse, while communities expressed feelings of abandonment and lack of assistance.

Health system under severe strain. Up to 80 per cent of health facilities in conflict-affected districts (Macomia, Mocimboa da Praia, Muidumbe, Nangade, Palma and Quissanga) are non-functional or operating at minimal capacity. Health workers have fled alongside civilians, disrupting treatment for chronic illnesses and limiting disease surveillance. Overstretched facilities in Mueda, Muidumbe, Balama, and Montepuez struggle to meet rising needs amid new displacements.

Accountability and community feedback. In October 2025, a total of 1,351 cases were recorded by the Linha Verde 1458 hotline, of which 90% were addressed and closed. Most of the registered cases were requests for information, followed by positive feedback (333) and complaints or negative feedback (113). Information requests mainly focused on food distribution and transfer schedules, while complaints largely concerned exclusion errors during distributions. A total of 37 cases related to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Child Protection were also recorded and referred to the respective GBV and Child Protection Areas of Responsibility for follow-up.