Mozambique is witnessing a visible shift in internal displacement dynamics, with thousands of families making their way back home, especially in Cabo Delgado. After years marked by insecurity and forced displacement, a return movement to areas of origin is gaining momentum.
According to updated data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), cited in the latest United Nations humanitarian report, around 701,000 people have already returned to their communities. At the same time, the number of internally displaced persons has decreased to 609,000 — an 18% drop compared to the previous period in June 2024.
Cabo Delgado province, which remains the most affected by armed violence, hosts seven out of ten of the country’s displaced people — and nearly all of those who have returned. Many of these families returned on their own, even without guarantees of minimum living conditions. In several communities, there are no schools, health centers, or access to clean water. Still, the desire to rebuild their lives speaks louder.
In the town of Mucojo, Macomia district — one of the areas hardest hit by the conflict in recent years — more than 16,000 people have returned in recent months. Today, despite a still-fragile environment, signs of movement are beginning to emerge. Fishing, although limited, remains the main source of livelihood — but the local economy is virtually paralyzed, with only one shop operating.
With limited support infrastructure, cash assistance has made a meaningful difference. In May alone, more than 158,000 people received various forms of aid in Cabo Delgado — from food vouchers to cash transfers for basic expenses. In Muidumbe district, for example, 6,320 people benefited from multiple forms of financial assistance. In Nangade, a new center is currently sheltering over 1,300 newly arrived displaced persons, who are also receiving cash support.
In Macomia, the situation is more delicate. Around 15,000 displaced people have been living in precarious conditions inside a school since 2021. To address overcrowding, authorities have proposed voluntary relocation to two new sites. So far, 508 families have agreed and have begun preparing land and building shelters. However, displaced people are calling for continued support in areas such as housing, water access, and livelihood opportunities.
The OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) report stresses that while the signs of return are encouraging, conditions on the ground remain critical in many communities. Several organizations have been called on to urgently mobilize resources, and the Mozambique Humanitarian Fund is preparing to finance priority interventions, especially in the districts of Macomia and Quissanga.
Despite the challenges, hope is growing that more families will be able to return safely and with dignity — and rebuild their lives on the land where they were born.
Source: Diário Económico
