Key Developments

USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) is responding to disasters in Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe.

As of late June 2017, the majority of poor households in Mozambique were experiencing Minimal levels of food insecurity due to above-average national crop production during the 2016/2017 agricultural season, according to the USAID-funded Famine Early Warnings System Network (FEWS NET). The majority of households in Mozambique will likely experience Minimal levels through September, as households regularly consume their own food stores or purchase food in markets. However, FEWS NET notes that vulnerable households in central semi-arid regions will likely face Stressed or Crisis levels of food insecurity through January 2018, necessitating targeted humanitarian assistance, as a result of slow recovery from the drought and irregular 2016/2017 rainfall.

In addition, an unprecedented rodent infestation in areas of central Mozambique is damaging July-to-August crop harvests, which may exacerbate food insecurity in affected areas.

More than 300,000 Mozambicans—approximately 1 percent of the population—required emergency assistance as of April, compared to nearly 2 million people in 2016, highlighting increased food security throughout the country, according to the July 2017 Southern African Development Community Regional Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis Synthesis Report.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization projects that national production of maize, rice, and sorghum in 2017 will exceed 2016 levels; however, some areas of central and southern Mozambique will likely experience decreased yields due to abnormally dry conditions, as well as flooding caused by Cyclone Dineo in February.

USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA)  is responding to a regional drought in Southern Africa. Please visit our webpage for additional information.

Background

Mozambique experiences recurrent droughts, floods, and tropical storms. In response to recent disasters in Mozambique, USAID/OFDA has provided agricultural supplies; shelter support; and emergency relief commodities, including blankets, kitchen sets, and water treatment materials. USAID/OFDA also focuses on disaster risk reduction programs that build the capacity of communities to respond to future shocks through activities such as promoting conservation agricultural practices and establishing disaster management committees.

Most Recent Information Product(s)

• Africa – Disaster Risk Reduction FY 2015 Fact Sheet #1 (September 30, 2015)