Population figures
Total country population
34,858,402
Forcibly displaced population
Refugees (under UNHCR's mandate):
5,454
Asylum-seekers:
18,828
IDPs (of concern to UNHCR):
577,545
Other people in need of international protection:
0
Other
Statelessness persons
0
Host community
0
Others of concern to UNHCR
1,356
Country context
Mozambique, located in southeastern Africa, is home to refugees from countries such as Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and more recently Ukraine. There is also as significant number of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The most significant driver of displacement in Mozambique is the conflict in Cabo Delgado, which has led to widespread insecurity and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. Additionally, Mozambique is frequently affected by natural disasters, such as tropical cyclones, which contribute to both internal and cross-border displacement.
Mozambique's national legal framework for refugees is based on its ratification of international conventions such as the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. However, the country made several reservations to the 1951 Refugee Convention, particularly related to refugees' access to education, employment, and freedom of movement. Despite these reservations, refugees and asylum seekers in Mozambique generally have access to identification documents, birth registration, and essential services like healthcare, education, and justice. Nonetheless, challenges remain in accessing rights.
...The government has also pledged to enhance the local integration of refugees and asylum seekers, including through a commitment to voluntary repatriation, local integration, and the development of out-of-camp policies. However, access to asylum procedures remains a significant concern, especially in conflict-affected areas such as Cabo Delgado. Some asylum seekers face challenges in submitting their claims due to a pre-screening procedure introduced in 2020.
The country ratified the 1954 Convention on Statelessness in 2014, and efforts to improve birth registration procedures and address statelessness are ongoing. A national study on statelessness is planned to inform policy and actions aimed at reducing statelessness risks.
Mozambique has been grappling with a significant internal displacement crisis, particularly in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, where ongoing conflict has forced over a million people to flee their homes. In response to this humanitarian challenge, the Government of Mozambique ratified the African Union's Kampala Convention—the Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa—in September 2017. This ratification signifies a commitment to uphold the rights and protection of internally displaced persons (IDPs) within its borders. To operationalize the Kampala Convention, Mozambique has undertaken several legislative and policy initiatives. In 2021, the Council of Ministers approved Resolution No. 42/2021, adopting the Policy and Strategy for the Management of Internally Displaced Persons. This policy outlines comprehensive measures for the protection and assistance of IDPs, aligning national efforts with the provisions of the Kampala Convention.
Mozambique continues to work towards durable solutions for refugees, asylum seekers, and IDPs, with a focus on local integration, voluntary repatriation, and supporting self-reliance.
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Sources: UNHCR Refugee Data finder https://www.unhcr.org/refugee-statistics/ | 2024 mid-year figures. United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2022). World Population Prospects 2022, Online Edition https://population.un.org/wpp/assets/Files/WPP2022_Data_Sources.pdf