Mozambique faces hunger crisis for 1.84 million people due to El Niño

The humanitarian organization CARE Mozambique has warned that at least 1.84 million people in Mozambique may face high levels of food insecurity due to drought linked to the El Niño phenomenon. This climate event threatens to compromise the upcoming agricultural campaign.

Communities are still recovering from previous extreme weather events, including floods and displacements, and currently face shortages of food, water, and seeds. CARE reports that repeated climate shocks have left these populations with few remaining resources to withstand another failed harvest.

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), between October 2026 and March 2027, approximately 1.84 million people are expected to experience food insecurity at crisis levels or higher, with 254,000 potentially reaching emergency levels. Projections also indicate that over 103,600 children under the age of five could suffer from acute malnutrition.

A rapid assessment conducted in September across 14 communities in the Gaza, Inhambane, and Nampula provinces highlighted that water scarcity is forcing women and girls to travel longer distances for water. This situation increases risks of premature marriage, school dropout, and declining health and hygiene standards.