The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on Tuesday, 07 October 2025 has raised grave concerns over a sharp escalation of violence in northern Mozambique, forcing nearly 22,000 people to flee their homes in a single week in late September.
Xavier Creach, UNHCR’s representative in Mozambique, described the surge as a “turning point,” noting that after years of instability, families are reaching their breaking point — some staying despite imminent danger, while others flee with dwindling hope of return. Over 100,000 people have been displaced in 2025 alone, pushing the total number uprooted since the conflict began in 2017 to more than 1.3 million. For the first time, all 17 districts of Cabo Delgado province have been directly affected by attacks.
Civilians continue to face severe human rights violations, including killings, abductions, sexual violence, and the forced recruitment of children. Women and girls are at heightened risk when carrying out daily tasks such as fetching water or firewood, while older people and those with disabilities often cannot escape during assaults.
By August, security incidents in 2025 had already surpassed the peak levels recorded in 2022. Beyond conflict, families are also grappling with cyclones, floods, drought, and soaring food prices. Despite receiving only $66 million of the $352 million required, UNHCR is providing essential support, including psychosocial services, dignity kits, and replacement of civil documents. Creach urged the international community to step up assistance, warning that the crisis is “far from over.”