International Assistance in Mozambique

Why we are on site

Mozambique is one of the African countries most affected by climate change. Weather extremes such as droughts, floods and cyclones regularly hit the country and cause extensive damage. In recent years, Mozambique has been hit by cyclones at least once a year, affecting millions of people.

However, Mozambique is also one of the poorest countries in the world, with around 70 percent of the population living below the poverty line. The people are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of climate change. Food is quickly becoming scarce and food insecurity is spreading. Currently, around 6 million people - around a quarter of the population - in Mozambique suffer from food insecurity and almost half are malnourished.

What we achieve together with our partner organisations

The province of Cabo Delgado in the north of the country is one of the poorest regions in the country. Many people there feel marginalized by the central government in Maputo. For years, civil war-like conditions have prevailed in this region. Parts of the population have become radicalized. Terrorist attacks in Cabo Delgado began in October 2017. These attacks are attributed to Islamic insurgent groups and are a significant concern for the security and stability of the region.

Religious extremism is compounded by ethnic tensions and rivalries between the different tribes. At the end of 2023, the military, supported by international partners, seemed to have brought the uprisings under control. However, it started to flare up again in 2024. Dozens of people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced since the beginning of the year.

More than 700,000 people have now been displaced within Mozambique (source IOM 7/24). Due to the conflict and repeated displacement, food insecurity is increasing as agricultural activities and markets have been disrupted. 

There are only a few health stations and hospitals in the region. Johanniter and our local partner organisations travel to the villages with mobile clinics and treat the people free of charge. Children and babies are examined and tested for malnutrition or diseases such as malaria. The clinics are accompanied by education campaigns on disease prevention, family planning, hygiene measures and also topics such as role models and domestic violence.

We are also currently active in the provinces of Manica and Sofala, where a project is helping rural women to generate their own income through agriculture, livelihood skills training, savings and microcredits.