In 2022, at least 1.5 million people will require lifesaving and life-sustaining humanitarian assistance and protection in northern Mozambique due to the continued impact of armed conflict, violence, and insecurity in Cabo Delgado Province. Mozambique is also among the top three countries in Africa most exposed to extreme climate shocks and has been facing devastating cyclones, cyclical droughts and flooding over the last years, including two major cyclones in 2019. The whole country is at high risk of climate shocks. The one-year cycle at which these events happen compounds Mozambique’s high poverty levels and increase vulnerability across most of the country; the country holds one of the lowest Human Development Index in the world, ranking 180 out of 189 countries and territories. Addressing this challenge demands collective, effective and well-coordinated humanitarian-recovery commitment.
In order to support this complex response, the Humanitarian Coordinator invited the P2P project to carry out a support mission in Mozambique in order to help define the HCT-Area HCT strategic engagement in the country, and identify effective ways to strengthen the humanitarian operation and coordination, in the face of the persistent and increasing complexity of humanitarian needs. The P2P mission to Mozambique took place on 7-17 February 2022: a senior team of six UN and NGO representatives led an extensive consultation across northern Mozambique, running seven workshops in Maputo, Pemba and Nampula; holding multiple bilateral and small-group meetings; and meeting with affected communities.
The mission led to the elaboration of an HCT Action Plan to help strengthen and refocus the response in Cabo Delgado, with action points including agreeing on a common narrative and advocacy on the situation; strengthening the Nexus; increased delegation of responsibilities to the Area HCT in Cabo Delgado; and renewed efforts on localization and PSEA/AAP.