Renewed Violence in Northern Mozambique Drives Fresh Wave of Mass Displacement

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has raised the alarm over a dramatic surge in displacement in northern Mozambique, where intensifying violence has forced tens of thousands to flee their homes once again. The conflict, now entering its eighth year, is showing no sign of abating, leaving communities exhausted, uprooted, and increasingly desperate.

In late September alone, nearly 22,000 people fled in just one week — one of the largest waves of displacement recorded in 2025. The escalation underscores the worsening instability in Cabo Delgado Province, the epicentre of the crisis that has plagued Mozambique’s north since 2017.

According to UNHCR, over 1.3 million people have been displaced since the conflict began, and more than 100,000 people have already fled their homes this year as fighting and attacks by non-state armed groups intensify across the region.

“This recent surge in violence marks a turning point in northern Mozambique,” the agency said. “After years of uncertainty, families are reaching their limit — some stay despite the danger, while others flee again with little hope of return.”

Widening Conflict, Worsening Humanitarian Conditions

For the first time since the conflict began, all 17 districts of Cabo Delgado have been directly affected, reflecting the expanding reach of armed groups operating in the area. Once seen as relatively stable, several districts that previously hosted displaced families are now themselves being emptied as violence spreads.

Many of those now on the move are former hosts who had opened their homes to others escaping earlier waves of conflict. “Now they too are displaced, carrying little more than what they can hold, and facing a future of uncertainty,” UNHCR reported.

The latest displacement crisis has been fuelled by raids on villages, killings, abductions, and the destruction of property. Since January, more than 500 security incidents affecting civilians have been recorded, surpassing the total for 2022 — previously considered one of the deadliest years of the war, with 435 incidents.

“The scale and speed of this resurgence in violence are deeply concerning,” said a UNHCR spokesperson. “Communities that had started to rebuild their lives are being torn apart again.”

Civilians Caught in the Crossfire

Reports of targeted attacks on civilians continue to surface, with accounts of killings, forced recruitment, and sexual violence. Children and women remain among the most vulnerable.

“Children are being forcibly recruited and exposed to extreme trauma,” the agency said. “Women and girls are particularly at risk of sexual and domestic violence, especially when collecting water or firewood away from displacement sites.”

Those with disabilities and the elderly face additional dangers — many struggle to flee when attacks occur, and some have been left behind. Thousands of displaced people are now experiencing severe psychological distress after repeated cycles of violence and loss, with limited access to mental health services.

A Crisis Deepened by Climate Disasters

The humanitarian emergency in northern Mozambique is compounded by climate-related disasters, including repeated cyclones, floods, and droughts. These have devastated infrastructure, destroyed crops, and made it harder for displaced communities to find stability.

“Beyond the violence, families face rising food prices, destroyed livelihoods, and collapsing basic services,” said UNHCR. “The combination of conflict and climate shocks has created a cycle of vulnerability that is increasingly difficult to break.”

Mozambique, already one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, has endured successive natural disasters in recent years — including Cyclone Kenneth in 2019 and Cyclone Gombe in 2022 — both of which severely impacted Cabo Delgado.

Strained Aid Efforts Amid Global Funding Shortfalls

Despite immense challenges, UNHCR and humanitarian partners continue to assist displaced families and host communities across northern Mozambique. Efforts include establishing help desks to identify individuals with special needs, providing counselling and psychosocial support, distributing dignity kits and mobility devices, and helping families replace lost civil documentation.

However, UNHCR warns that its capacity is being stretched to the limit. Of the $352 million required for its operations in Mozambique in 2025, the agency has received only $66 million — less than one-fifth of what is needed.

“The funding shortfall is leaving thousands without essential support just as the crisis deepens,” UNHCR said. “Without urgent additional resources, our ability to provide protection and lifesaving assistance will be severely compromised.”

Eight Years On: The Human Cost of a Forgotten Crisis

As the conflict drags into its eighth year, the humanitarian toll is staggering. Many families have been displaced multiple times, rebuilding their homes only to see them destroyed again. Education, healthcare, and livelihoods have been disrupted for an entire generation.

“Eight years on, this crisis is far from over,” the agency said. “Thousands of families have been displaced for years, with no end in sight.”

UNHCR has called on the international community to renew its support for Mozambique — not only through humanitarian assistance but also through long-term investments in stability, infrastructure, and livelihoods.

“Protecting civilians, restoring access to essential services, and addressing the root causes of displacement are urgently needed to prevent further suffering,” UNHCR urged. “This is a crisis that requires sustained global attention and collective action.”

As the violence spreads and displacement grows, the people of northern Mozambique face an uncertain future — one that will depend on whether the world responds with the urgency and compassion the crisis demands.