In Mozambique several studies were carried out to assess the Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) situation, namely: (i) Demographic and Health Survey (IDS), (ii) Household Budget Survey (IOF), (iii) Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), (iv) FNS baseline study, (v) Annual Food and Nutrition Security Assessments. The first four surveys measure Chronic Food and Nutrition Insecurity (Chronic FNSN), while the annual assessments measure Acute Food and Nutrition Insecurity (Acute FNSN) (MASA 2023).

Food insecurity in Mozambique

The last national FNS baseline study carried out in 2013 concluded that in Mozambique, around 24% of households were chronically food insecure, with an estimated 1,150,000 households, and 3.5% of households were acutely food insecure (168,000 households) (SETSAN 2014). A nationwide baseline study is currently expected to be carried out and publicised.

Meanwhile, the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) (2011) reported that 43% of children suffer from Chronic Malnutrition, accounting for a third of deaths in children under five.

Data from the Household Budget Survey carried out in 2019 and 2020 found a dramatic drop in household spending over the last five years of around 17%, making most people poorer than they were a decade ago. Urban spending fell by 24%, while rural spending fell by 13%. Gaza (down 42%), Maputo city (down 38%) and Cabo Delgado (also down 38%) were the worst hit provinces. All spending, including food, has been drastically reduced indicating that more than half of the population lives below the poverty line (INE 2021).

 

   

 

Picture credits: Universidade Eduardo Mondlane

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