Mozambique

In 2015, the country reached its Millennium Development Goal of halving the number of hungry people. Chronic food insecurity is now estimated at 24 percent and malnutrition at 25 percent. However, despite these impressive achievements, significant challenges to food and nutrition security remain.
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.

Conflict, drought and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on economic activities are among the main drivers of food insecurity. The number of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) across the country increased to 2.9 million people between January and March 2021, up from 2.7 million in the previous quarter.

The current level of food insecurity was caused by multiple shocks. In 2019-2020, Mozambique suffered from a lack of rainfall, extreme rains, cyclones, floods, pests and insecurity in the northern areas, which resulted in major agricultural losses, destruction of infrastructure, assets and livelihoods, internal displacement and other damages.  

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. The World Food Programme (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.