3.4 Million Children in Mozambique Need Humanitarian Aid in 2025

Approximately 4.8 million people in Mozambique, including 3.4 million children, require humanitarian assistance in 2025, according to a  by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). 

The humanitarian crisis in Mozambique is continuing and is mainly driven by the conflict in the northern province Cabo Delgado but also by natural disasters fueled by climate change. 

Apart from the conflict, Mozambique is also among the most adversely affected countries globally by climate-related risks. In mid-2024 anrelated to drought was declared in Mozambique. 

Droughts, which have become more frequent, are a dire concern for Mozambique, as 80 per cent of the population of more than 33 million depends on . 

The 2024-25 rainy season in Mozambique began with El Nino, causing persistent dryness, with many areas in the central and southern provinces receiving less than half their usual rainfall. 

Lack of food, coupled with poor sanitation and hygiene means that children are extremely vulnerable to malnutrition and disease. 

From January to September 2024, 571 cases of measles were reported in four provinces, mainly Cabo Delgado Province and the country remains at high risk of a large-scale outbreak, with more than 3.3 million children aged nine months to 14 years requiring urgent vaccination. 

More than 18 million children are at risk from two circulating strains of poliovirus.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification for Mozambique identifies nearly 3.3 million people in crisis or higher levels of food insecurity and 144,270 children under age five at risk of wasting.

Conflict, drought and public health emergencies are stretching humanitarian resources in Mozambique.

According to the statement, more than 29,000 children under age 5 will likely need treatment for severe wasting, due to the impact of the El Nino weather pattern.

With a score of 27.5 in the 2024 , Mozambique has a level of hunger that is serious.

Humanitarian strategy

Due to outbreaks of measles and cholera and the impact of the El Nino, UNICEF has scaled up its public health and nutrition responses. Programmes focus on life-saving health, nutrition and WASH targeting hotspot areas and districts with high rates of wasting. The increase in the number of children targeted stems from the planned measles immunisation campaigns.

UNICEF requires $64 million to address the humanitarian needs of 2.5 million people nationwide, including 2.1 million children. 

But, UNICEF received less than $15 million for the 2024 appeal, which, combined with carry-over resources, left a gap of 66 per cent. As a result, vulnerable children did not have access to services and were exposed to increasing protection risks, including violence and climate shocks causing additional displacements. 

Without continued support for humanitarian action in Mozambique, UNICEF will be unable to help children survive, thrive and achieve their potential.