Geneva/Maputo, 4 December 2025 – Over 100,000 people have been newly displaced in Mozambique in recent weeks, adding to more than 600,000 already uprooted, prompting the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director General Amy Pope to call for urgent, collective solutions to help communities regain stability. During her three-day visit to Mozambique, DG Pope highlighted how insecurity in the north and recurring climate shocks, including floods, droughts, and cyclones, continue to drive displacement and disrupt access to essential services and livelihoods. She emphasized the need for increased investment in community-led recovery initiatives to support families in rebuilding their lives and strengthening resilience.
DG Pope noted that despite the ongoing challenges, progress is visible when communities are supported. She stressed that with appropriate investments, families can restore stability, enhance their resilience, and look to the future with confidence. During her visit, she met with President Daniel Francisco Chapo and senior government officials to acknowledge Mozambique’s efforts to bolster community resilience and expand economic opportunities for displaced populations. These discussions underscored the importance of coordinated national and international actions to advance long-term recovery.
In Corrane, Nampula Province, DG Pope engaged directly with displaced and host families, learning how improvements such as better housing, upgraded water and sanitation systems, enhanced healthcare access, and community centers are helping families stabilize daily life. These community-driven projects, supported by the government, the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD), IOM, and UN partners, are enabling families to start small businesses, return to school, and plan for the future.
Across affected provinces, local authorities and communities are restoring access to housing, services, and livelihoods, reinforcing Mozambique’s role as a regional leader in responding to both conflict- and climate-related displacement. DG Pope also launched the IOM Mozambique Country Strategy (2024–2028) and the jointly developed Migration Governance Indicators report, providing frameworks to guide long-term planning and improve access to services and opportunities for displaced populations.
The visit included engagement with development finance institutions to explore innovative financing mechanisms for resilience and sustainable livelihoods, which will inform regional consultations in South Africa and align national priorities with the broader Southern African mobility and development agenda. DG Pope’s visit reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to supporting government-led, community-driven solutions that enhance resilience, promote economic inclusion, and contribute to lasting peace and stability. The progress achieved reflects the leadership of local communities, working alongside national and local institutions, to create conditions for durable recovery.
