The humanitarian crisis in Northern Mozambique is escalating due to spreading violence, massive displacement (around 120,000 people, including 55,000 children newly displaced), and a severe funding collapse. The crisis is one of the world's most underfunded emergencies, with only US $73 million received against a required US $352 million. Humanitarian organizations call upon the international community, donors, and governments for urgent action, increased funding, and renewed commitment to address the rapidly growing needs.
MAPUTO, 09 DECEMBER 2025: The worsening insecurity in the Northern Mozambique in recent days has exposed the lives of over hundreds of thousands of civilians for suffering, displacement, violence, hunger, injuries and psychological trauma, Humanitarian Organizations in Mozambique warned today. Since mid-November, violence has escalated, displacing around 120,000 people altogether – while over 55,000 children are newly displaced in the past fortnight, following series of violent attacks by non-state armed groups.
A recent report by UN OCHA (December 2025) also revealed that 107,784 people (22,202 families) have been displaced across Nampula and Cabo Delgado provinces as result of the attacks and fear of continued violence in Nampula.
The said attacks on civilian communities were reported to have also killed handful of civilians and left many to abandon their villages, livelihoods and flee to neighboring host communities in attempt to save their lives. The situation requires an urgent supply of essential humanitarian aid including food, shelter, medical supplies and basic protection services.
Humanitarian Organizations operating in the region expressed their deep concern about the rapid expansion of the conflict, multiple displacements of civilians and its devastating consequences. It is daunting that the deteriorating security situation will expose the lives of additional number of civilians especially children, girls, women and people with disabilities to heightened risks, including loss of livelihoods, gender-based violence, family separation, sexual abuse and disease outbreaks like cholera, threatening to overwhelm an already fragile health care system in the area.
Humanitarian Organizations describes the crisis in the North of Mozambique as one of the world’s forgotten and underfunded emergencies. Funding has been sharply on the decrease, food stocks and health kits are running out, while the needs and gaps continue increasing. Due to the urgency of the situation, some resources that were originally allocated for the upcoming cyclone season have already been repurposed to respond to this new wave of displacement - but this remain far from enough given the scale of the crisis.
Therefore, bilateral and multilateral donors, states and governments must urgently mobilize resources for the humanitarian actors in-country to respond to this rapidly evolving and complex emergency.
According to UN OCHA’s recent report (November 2025), the availability of humanitarian funding in the country has significantly dropped as only US $73 million has been received against the required sum of US $352 million. This shows nearly 55% decrease from 2024. As of December, the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) was only funded at 20% against that of 40% last year. Moreover, the number of humanitarian response implementing organizations has dropped from 78 to 63 partners (28 INGOs, 23 NNGOs, 8 government bodies and 4 UN agencies).
This is one of the most underfunded and overlooked crisis in the world, yet it cannot be ignored. An urgent action, renewed commitment is required – an immediate action, increased funding, and strong political will to address the rapidly growing needs. Therefore, the humanitarian organizations call upon the international community, donors and governments to recommit to funding the response. This is a call to conscience - the children, girls, elderly people, women and men fleeing violence and conflict need an urgent humanitarian assistance to survive.
While immediate aid is critical, all parties involved in the armed conflict must also work towards sustainable peace, stability and recovery in the region - including lasting political solutions and development programs aimed at rebuilding livelihoods and strengthening community resilience.
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