UN Reports 22,000 Flee Northern Mozambique Amid Violence

The UN Refugee Agency has expressed serious concern over rapidly deteriorating security in northern Mozambique, where nearly 22,000 civilians were displaced during a single week of late September due to intensified violence. This latest displacement wave highlights the escalating crisis in Cabo Delgado province, where conflict has now affected all districts simultaneously for the first time.

UNHCR's representative in Mozambique, Xavier Creach, informed journalists in Geneva that the recent violence represents a "turning point" in the prolonged conflict. More than 100,000 people have been displaced within Mozambique this year alone, bringing the total number forced from their homes since the conflict began in 2017 to over 1.3 million people across the northern region.

Civilians continue to face severe threats including killings, abductions, and sexual violence, with children particularly vulnerable to forced recruitment by armed groups. Women and girls encounter heightened risks while performing essential tasks like collecting water, while elderly and disabled individuals struggle to escape during violent attacks. Security incidents recorded in 2025 have already exceeded previous peak levels from 2022.

The humanitarian situation is further exacerbated by natural disasters including cyclones, floods, and drought, combined with spiraling food prices. Despite these challenges, UNHCR faces significant funding shortages, having received only $66 million of the $352 million required for 2025 operations. The agency continues providing psychosocial support and essential supplies while urging increased international assistance for what it describes as a crisis "far from over."