Mozambique 2025 Humanitarian Response - Drought Appeal, as of 31 May 2025 [EN/PT]

Across Mozambique, 4.9 million people were estimated to face high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above), between October 2024 and March 2025. Additionally, UNICEF’s report of a sharp rise in severe acute malnutrition (SAM) cases in March and April 2025, with over 5,000 children admitted for treatment in March alone — the highest number in recent years and well above the 5-year average. In response to the El Niño-induced drought, a Drought Appeal was launched in September 2024 to address urgent humanitarian needs in the most severely affected districts. The appeal identified 3 million people in need of immediate assistance in drought-affected areas. As of May 2025, significant gaps remain in the humanitarian response. About 39 per cent of the 1.4 million people targeted for aid have been reached. Sector-specific progress also reflect huge variations: the Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) cluster reached approximately 41 per cent, Nutrition cluster 87 per cent, WASH cluster reached 14 per cent, while Protection cluster reached less than 0.1 per cent. These figures underscore critical gaps across multiple life-saving sectors and highlight the urgent need for additional resources to ensure a coordinated, multisectoral response. The Drought Appeal remains severely underfunded. As of May, a total of $33 million, almost 15 per cent of the $222 million required, has been secured. This substantial funding gap continues to hinder the ability of humanitarian partners to deliver timely and adequate assistance to those in greatest need.