The Kadila Institute for African Studies and Diaspora recently organized a debate in Maputo on climate risks in Mozambique and their implications in urban and rural areas.
The discussion began with the understanding that Mozambique is currently one of the most vulnerable countries to climate disasters in the world. Evidence of this includes the ongoing experience of extreme events such as cyclones, floods, and droughts, which impact thousands of people.
Recent data shows that at least 28 cyclones, 36 floods, and 15 droughts have affected the country in the last 40 years, forcing over 127,000 people into internal displacement.
Uacitissa Mandamule, a researcher at the Rural Environment Observatory (OMR), emphasized that the perception of risk varies widely among Mozambican communities, particularly in rural areas where agriculture is the main source of livelihood.
“Rural populations perceive risks in a very specific way. For many of them, the real danger is not losing their homes or lives during a flood, but losing their farmland, which is their primary source of food and income. For them, hunger is the greatest risk,” she explained.
Mandamule also highlighted that government proposals for resettlement of people living in vulnerable areas, such as flood-prone zones, are often poorly received by affected communities, who refuse to leave their fertile land for places where farming conditions are inadequate. Additionally, new resettlement areas often lack proper infrastructure, intensifying residents' resistance.
As adaptation strategies, Mandamule stressed the importance of diversifying agricultural production areas and adopting new seed varieties that are more resilient to extreme climate conditions. She also mentioned strengthening producer associations, which enable communities to unite their efforts to tackle challenges.
On the other hand, researcher José Langa, co-founder of ObservA, drew attention to the urban impacts of climate risks. “When extreme events like cyclones and floods occur, many people from rural areas migrate to cities in search of safety, but this creates new problems,” he noted.
According to Langa, the pressure on cities, which already face a lack of adequate infrastructure, generates a series of challenges, including overcrowding in temporary shelters, leading to various diseases and increased human rights violations. Langa concluded by making it clear that academia has much work to do to mitigate distinct perceptions among various stakeholders.
During the debate, a proposal emerged for a new resettlement model, in which at-risk communities would receive more productive and well-planned land, along with training in new agricultural techniques and financial support. Another point discussed was the role of cities in mitigating climate risks.
“We need resilient urban planning. Mozambican cities must prepare for climate events and ensure adequate housing, basic sanitation, and access to services,” Langa advocated.
(By Renaldo Manhice)
