Over 7,000 displaced by renewed violence in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado

More than 7,000 people have fled their homes in Mozambique's northern Cabo Delgado province since late September amid renewed violence and fears of attacks by non-state armed groups, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said.

According to IOM data, 5,794 people were displaced between September 21 and October 13, while another 1,235 fled between October 14 and 27, bringing the total to 7,029.

Women and children account for nearly 80% of the latest arrivals, with many families seeking refuge in communities already hosting people displaced by years of insecurity.

"More families are seeking safety in communities that are already hosting people displaced by violence. Nearly eight in 10 are women and children," said Dana Graber Ladek, IOM's chief of mission in Mozambique.

She warned that displaced families and host communities urgently need food, shelter and healthcare, adding that the lack of timely assistance could worsen their living conditions.

In the latest two-week reporting period, 584 children and 386 women were displaced. They included 87 pregnant women, 58 older people, 18 people with disabilities and four unaccompanied or separated children.

Some men have remained behind to maintain their livelihoods, leaving them exposed to the risk of further violence, IOM said.

As of October 2026, Cabo Delgado was hosting more than 205,000 internally displaced people across 84 sites, with children accounting for more than half of the displaced population.

Most of the newly displaced families are staying with host communities, placing additional pressure on households and already strained local services.

Food is the most urgent need, reported by 88% of those assessed, followed by shelter at 71% and healthcare at 44%. Families have also reported protection needs.

IOM is providing emergency shelter, household supplies, water and sanitation services, protection and psychosocial support to displaced people and host communities.

The agency warned that continued displacement and declining humanitarian funding are stretching the response as the need for emergency assistance grows.