The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, began a visit to Mozambique on Monday, 21 September, to assess the impacts of climate change on human rights and the responses adopted by the country.
According to a report by Lusa, the mission runs until 2 October and aims to evaluate the effects of climate change on human rights, as well as how those rights are being considered in existing and planned climate responses.
During the visit, Morgera is expected to meet with government officials, civil society representatives, academics, UN agencies, the private sector, and other stakeholders, including communities directly affected by climate change.
The expert will also examine the role of technical assistance, capacity-building, and international financing in supporting the resilience and adaptation of the most vulnerable populations.
'The Special Rapporteur also looks forward to the opportunity to learn about the impact of climate events on human rights and the role of international technical assistance, capacity-building, and international financing,' reads a statement from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Preliminary findings and recommendations will be presented on 2 October at a press conference at the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights premises in Maputo. Morgera is subsequently expected to present the report to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2027.
Mozambique is considered one of the countries most affected by climate change, regularly facing floods and tropical cyclones during the rainy season, which typically runs from October to April.
During the last rainy season, 311 people died and approximately 1.7 million were affected since October, according to the latest update from the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction, released in early May.
The visit takes place against a backdrop of concern over the effects of the El Niño phenomenon. Mozambique is among three Southern African countries considered of greatest concern for El Niño 2026–27, alongside Madagascar and Malawi, given forecasts of worsening drought, food insecurity, and displacement.
The National Meteorology Institute forecasts a strong El Niño between November 2026 and April 2027, with below-average rainfall expected across the southern and central regions of the country.
Existing vulnerabilities compound the risks facing the population: approximately 3.5 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity and around 662,000 are internally displaced, primarily due to the conflict in Cabo Delgado.
The UN has warned that the combination of drought, extreme temperatures, water scarcity, and disease outbreaks could worsen impacts on vulnerable populations, underscoring the need for systems capable of anticipating and responding to emergency situations.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/09/21/desenvolvimento-2/relatora-da-onu-esta-em-mocambique-para-avaliar-impactos-das-alteracoes-climaticas/
