Key Takeaways

• The northern Mozambique displacement crisis intensified as armed attacks and fear of further violence forced thousands of people to flee their homes in Ancuabe.
• More than 5,000 people sought safety in resettlement sites and host communities in Nanjua.
• MSF provided emergency healthcare, mental health support, and water and sanitation services.
• MSF teams conducted more than 1,500 consultations within a few weeks.
• MSF is calling for stronger medical supply chains, free healthcare access, and sustained humanitarian support.

Armed attacks trigger new displacement in Ancuabe

In May, the district of Ancuabe in northern Mozambique was repeatedly hit by armed attacks carried out by the Islamic State Mozambique (ISM). Combined with widespread fear of further violence, these attacks forced thousands of people to flee their homes. Over 5,000 people sought safety in pre-existing resettlement sites and host communities in Nanjua. In response to the surge in humanitarian needs linked to insecurity and displacement, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) launched an emergency intervention, providing primary healthcare through mobile clinics, mental health support, as well as water and sanitation services.

MSF highlights the human impact of repeated displacement

Jacinta Francisco, MSF emergency team leader in Ancuabe, says: “In Cabo Delgado, recurring violence is forcing thousands of people to be displaced repeatedly, deepening a protracted humanitarian crisis. People who arrived in Nanjua carry the trauma of fleeing and losing loved ones. They live with constant fear of the unknown. At the same time, both residents and displaced people struggle to access essential healthcare services and treatment.”

Emergency healthcare response reaches thousands

In just a few weeks, MSF teams carried out over 1,500 consultations, treating an average of more than 150 patients per day. The most common conditions were upper respiratory tract infections, skin diseases and malaria – which is prevalent in children under five.

Growing need for mental health support

Alongside medical care, MSF teams observed a growing need for mental health care. Many people reported sleep disturbances, stress-related symptoms, body pain and palpitations, often linked to uncertainty about the future, repeated displacement, difficult living conditions, lack of necessities, and concerns for the safety and wellbeing of their children. Currently, there are no mental health professionals at the local health centre.

Humanitarian needs continue to grow

Newly displaced families also lack shelter and food, having fled with little or nothing to areas that were already struggling to meet basic needs. More than 15,000 people were displaced across Ancuabe district and neighbouring areas, many of whom have already been uprooted multiple times during the protracted conflict in Cabo Delgado.

Barriers to healthcare access in Northern Mozambique

Access to healthcare in northern Mozambique remains severely constrained. In Nanjua, residents and displaced people face an approximate four-kilometre journey to reach the nearest health facility, where they are required to pay for treatment despite frequent shortages of essential medicines. Distance, insecurity and the unavailability of prescribed treatments continue to delay care-seeking and fuel frustration and mistrust within communities. Often, these issues only draw wider attention when an emergency occurs.

MSF phases out emergency intervention

MSF is now phasing out support as the main health needs in the emergency have been addressed. As part of this process, we will donate essential medicines to the local Ministry of Health post to help sustain free healthcare services for both residents and displaced people.

Call for sustained humanitarian action

MSF calls for the urgent strengthening of medical supply chains in health facilities and for free access to healthcare, particularly in emergency settings. At the same time, MSF urges a coordinated and sustained humanitarian response to address the health, protection and psychosocial needs of communities affected by repeated displacement and recurring violence in northern Mozambique.