Occurs 

Comments / Details 

Yes 

Mozambique is a country located in Southeast Africa, and it is prone to droughts due to its location in the subtropics. The country has a history of recurrent droughts, which have had a significant impact on its agricultural production and food security. The frequency and severity of droughts in Mozambique appear to be increasing, likely due to climate change. The Southern Africa region as whole, including Mozambique, has seen an increase in droughts in the last few decades. Some of the factors contributing to this trend include rising temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, and an increase in evaporation rates. These factors are expected to continue in the future, which could lead to more frequent and severe droughts in Mozambique and the surrounding region. 

Historically, drought has impacted negatively on people livelihoods and economic activities in Mozambique. It's been affecting farming practices, such as crop failures and loss of livestock, hampering the rural population's main source of income and food security. Also, it can cause displacement of people and worsening humanitarian crisis, as they seek assistance and alternative livelihoods options. 

Yes 

Mozambique is in a seismically active region and has a history of earthquakes. The country is situated on the East Africa Rift System, a zone of tectonic activity that runs through the continent from the Red Sea to Mozambique. The East Africa Rift System is characterized by frequent seismic activity and is considered a high-risk zone for earthquakes. 

Historically, earthquakes in Mozambique have been relatively infrequent but can be strong when they do occur. The most recent significant earthquake in Mozambique was a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck on August 10, 2020, near the border with Malawi. The earthquake caused moderate damage to buildings and infrastructure in the affected area and caused power outages. However, no deaths were reported. 

In the past, there have been several earthquakes in the country with magnitude greater than 6.0. In 2002, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 struck near the city of Nampula, killing at least 31 people, injuring more than 400, and damaging or destroying more than 20,000 homes. In 2011, another earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 struck near the city of Chitima, killing at least one person, injuring more than 50, and damaging or destroying more than 2,000 homes. 

Overall, while Mozambique has a history of earthquakes, they are relatively infrequent, but when they happen can have significant impacts on the people and the infrastructure. 

Yes 

HIV/AIDS 

Mozambique has a significant HIV epidemic, with an estimated prevalence of 11.5% among adults (ages 15-49) in 2019. This equates to around 2 million people living with HIV in the country. The epidemic is driven mainly by unprotected heterosexual transmission and is especially prevalent among women. In 2019, women accounted for 63% of new HIV infections in Mozambique. The number of people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) reached 1.2 million by the end of 2019. 

Malaria 

Malaria is a major public health problem in Mozambique, with high incidence and prevalence of the disease. According to the World Health Organization, in 2019, the country had an estimated 12.4 million cases of malaria, with a rate of 585 cases per 1,000 population, and an estimated 10,600 malaria deaths. These figures represent a significant burden on the country's health system and its population.  

Despite these high figures, the country has been making efforts to address the malaria epidemic, and there is a trend of decreasing number of cases and deaths in recent years due to an increase in malaria prevention and control measures such as distribution of mosquito nets and access to diagnostic tests and treatments. 

Cholera 

Since 2017, cholera outbreaks have been reported in Mozambique every year during the hot and rainy season (October to April), mainly from Nampula, Cabo Delgado, Sofala and Tete provinces. 

Mozambique reported 3,930 cases of cholera in 2022, 3,787 in 2020, and 7,010 in 2019. The first case of cholera in the current outbreak was reported to the Ministry of Health and WHO from Lago district in Niassa province on 14 September 2022. As of 19 February 2023, a cumulative total of 5237 suspected cases and 37 deaths.  

WHO and other organizations have been providing support to the Mozambican government to try and control the spread of the disease, including through the provision of vaccines and treatment for those who have been infected. 

No 

Yes 

Mozambique is prone to flooding due to its location along the Indian Ocean coast, which is susceptible to tropical storms and cyclones, as well as its numerous river basins that cross the country. The country has a history of recurrent flooding, which has had a significant impact on its population and infrastructure. 

The frequency and severity of floods in Mozambique appear to be increasing in recent years, likely due to climate change. The Southern Africa region as whole, including Mozambique, has seen an increase in floods in the last few decades. Some of the factors contributing to this trend include changes in precipitation patterns and intensification of storms, as well as the increase in human activities such as deforestation, urbanization and poor land-use practices. 

In 2019, Mozambique was hit by the worst cyclone Idai in the recorded history, which led to the displacement of more than 2.6 million people, caused over 600 deaths and left massive damages on infrastructure, economy and agriculture in the affected regions. The exact figures of damages are not available for that year but the estimate was about 2 billion USD. 

In 2000, the country was hit by another severe flood, which affected more than 1.5 million people and caused more than 700 deaths. The estimated damages were around $250 million. 

Mozambique has several major river basins, including the Zambezi, Limpopo and Save, which are prone to flooding during the rainy seasons. These river basins are a major source of water for irrigation, domestic use, and hydroelectric power generation. However, due to the increasing frequency and severity of floods, they also pose a significant risk to the population and infrastructure in the surrounding areas. 

Overall, while floods in Mozambique have historically been an irregular event, the pattern of their frequency and severity has been increasing in recent years, and they can have devastating impacts on the population and the infrastructure. 

Yes 

The country suffers from several types of insect pest, including termites, beetles, and moths, which can cause significant damage to crops such as maize, cassava, and cotton. 

Climate factors and agricultural practices in Mozambique can greatly influence the population and distribution of certain insects. For example, prolonged droughts can lead to crop failures and a decrease in the population of insect pests, while the extensive use of pesticides may contribute to an increase of resistance insects. 

Yes 

Mozambique has a history of mudslides, particularly during the rainy season, which runs from October to April. These mudslides are often caused by heavy rainfall and can be exacerbated by deforestation and poor land management practices. 

In 2019, heavy rainfall and Cyclone Idai caused widespread flooding and mudslides in the country, resulting in more than 600 deaths and affecting over 2 million people. 

In 2019, Cyclone Kenneth also hit Mozambique, causing widespread damage and flooding, including mudslides. The death toll from the cyclone was at least 41 people, with many more missing. Additionally, over 270,000 people were affected and tens of thousands of homes were destroyed. 

Moreover, those disasters have also caused significant damage to infrastructure and agricultural lands, which had long-term effects on the country's economy and food security. 

No 

No 

No 

Yes 

Mozambique is located in a region that is prone to high winds, particularly during the cyclone season which is from November to April. Cyclones and storms can cause significant damage to buildings, infrastructure and crops, as well as loss of life. 

In 2019, Mozambique was hit by the worst cyclone Idai in the recorded history, which led to the displacement of more than 2.6 million people, caused over 600 deaths and caused massive damages on infrastructure, economy and agriculture in the affected regions. The exact figures of damages are not available for that year but the estimate was about 2 billion USD. 

In 2000, the country was hit by another severe cyclone Eline, which caused over 31 deaths and affected over 1 million people, leaving damages estimated at 250 million USD. 

Overall, while high winds in Mozambique have historically been an irregular event, the pattern of their frequency and severity has been increasing in recent years, and they can have devastating impacts on the population and the infrastructure. The country continues to be susceptible to natural hazards such as high winds and cyclones, particularly due to the predicted changes in weather patterns caused by climate change. 

Yes 

Since the end of the civil war, Mozambique has been relatively peaceful, but there have been sporadic incidents of violence and civil unrest, particularly in the northern and central regions of the country. These incidents have been related to disputes over land, natural resources, and political power. 

Overall, while Mozambique has been relatively peaceful since the end of the civil war, sporadic incidents of violence and civil unrest still occur in some regions of the country. 

No 

Yes 

The sixteenth round of the DTM Baseline assessment was carried out in 219 localities, located in the provinces of Cabo Delgado (108 localities), Nampula (76 localities), Niassa (20 localities), Sofala (4 localities) and Zambezia (7 localities).  

As of June 2022, an estimated 869,603 IDPs were identified in Cabo Delgado, while an additional 73,699 IDPs were identified in Nampula, 2,130 in Niassa, 680 in Zambezia, 310 in Sofala and 86 in Inhambane. This brings the total number of individuals displaced in the six provinces to 946,508 Internally Displaced Persons, or 208,046 displaced families.  

All displacements are a result of the insecurity situation in northern Mozambique. 

Yes 

Mozambique is currently hosting 29,500 refugees and asylum seekers, predominately from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi (as of January 2022 (UNHCR)). About 34 percent of the refugees live in Maratane settlement in Nampula province. The large majority of them (86 percent) have been living in Maratane settlement for between 05 to 20 years, calling for long-term durable solutions. 

The Instituto Nacional de Apoio aos Refugiados and WFP have been assisting refugees with in-kind food assistance targeted based on household vulnerability. Additionally, the Livelihoods for Durable Solutions Programme (2016-2021) – jointly implemented by WFP, UNHCR, FAO and UN Habitat - has aimed to support self-reliance and local integration through a range of livelihood interventions that focus on market and value chain development and aim to lift refugee and host community households out of chronic poverty and food insecurity. 

No 

Mozambique’s landmine problem was once one of the most severe in the world, with a legacy of landmines and explosive remnants of war from 16 years of conflict. Tens of thousands of landmines were laid in the country during its 1964-1975 fight for independence and throughout the civil war that followed. All factions used landmines to defend provincial and district towns, roads, airstrips, key bridges, power supply infrastructure, and military posts. Although the fighting stopped in 1992, landmines and unexploded ordnance have continued to claim lives and hinder development. 

HALO Trust, APOPO and Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) are the main operators dedicated to mine clearance. 

In 2015, Mozambique was declared officially landmine-free. At the end of the civil war, there were estimates of over 2 million landmines in the country, which the government calculated had killed up to 10,500 people in the 40 years since they were laid. Many of the mines were in poorly marked locations, and de-mining operations were given a high priority.  

In June 2018, Mozambique reported that a government strategy to develop a sustainable national capacity to address residual mine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) contamination had been developed and was being implemented with the training of national police units and military personnel. Under the strategy, police units in both the District and Provincial Police Commands were being trained to respond to and destroy any items of Unexploded ordnance (UXO) and isolated mines reported, and to provide community awareness-raising on the threat of residual contamination. Any additional mined areas discovered would be responsibility of the Mozambique armed forces’ specialized regional demining units. 

In 2021 and 2022, NPA has been supporting the Forças Armadas de Defesa de Moçambique (FADM) in the destruction of surplus and obsolete ammunition to reduce the threat to people and infrastructure.  

Time Frame 

Comments / Details 

Nov-Apr 

Heavy rain and surface flooding can affect roads throughout the country. However, primary roads are the least affected and only if extreme weather conditions occur. 

Nov-Apr 

Unpaved secondary roads, several of them with drift river crossings become impassable with relatively small amounts of rain. However most rivers tend to drain quickly after a few days without rain. 

Nov-Apr 

Railway lines usually do not suffer much during the rainy season because usually they are elevated and built on an embankment with drainage system. However, traffic delays may occur. 

Nov-Apr 

Air transport is not affected by seasonal weather. Most airports are in good condition, well paved and constructed to allow good drainage. 

Nov-Apr 

Waterways have distinct seasonal variations. During the wet season they tend to become swollen and flooded and during the dry season water levels decline making it difficult to find paths in which to navigate. 

Time Frame 

Comments / Details 

Nov-Apr 

During the rainy season, more frequent aeration is required due to increased humidity inside warehouses. Insect infestation can increase during the rainy season. 

Nov-Apr 

Open-air handling of food commodities is not advisable during the wet season for obvious reasons; thus, being restricted to covered loading and unloading bays. 

Nov-Apr 

In some cases, when transporting food from coastal areas of Mozambique and South Africa that need to cross highlands, commodities may be affected by condensation.