Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
In Mozambique, the National Policy and Strategy for Internal Displacement Management was developed through a government-led, multisstakeholder process that addressed all major drivers of displacement-including disasters, climate change and conflict. Recognizing the country’s high exposure to climate hazards such as cyclones, floods and droughts, and the rising trend of disaster-induced displacement, the policy is closely aligned with Mozambique’s national disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategy. This reflects a shared commitment to minimizing the human impact of disasters through integrated, inclusive approaches.
The policy directly supports Target B of the Sendai Framework, which aims to substantially reduce the number of people affected by disasters. It also contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 (no poverty), 3 (good health and well-being), 10 (reduced inequalities) and 11 (sustainable cities and communities) by protecting vulnerable populations and mainstreaming resilience into development strategies.
To ensure strategic alignment, the National Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management was designated as the lead coordinating body for policy implementation. This coordination ensures that displacement risks are addressed across ministries-including health, education and social protection-through integration into annual budgets and sectoral plans. This demonstrates effective institutionalization of DRR principles across government systems.
The policy development process was guided by inclusive and participatory principles, consistent with Mozambique’s broader DRR strategy. A transdisciplinary national drafting team engaged displaced communities, local officials and civil society actors, ensuring that the strategy responded to real needs. Public consultations were widely covered in national media, bringing attention to displacement challenges and catalyzing high-level political support, which accelerated the policy’s approval. Mozambique is now focused on local capacity-building to operationalize the policy effectively.
Key impacts
- Policy innovation and integration: Mozambique is among the first African countries to adopt a national displacement policy that integrates DRR, climate adaptation and conflict sensitivity. This positions Mozambique as a regional leader in aligning DRR and displacement policy with the Sendai Framework.
- Stronger institutional coordination: The policy clarified roles across government, assigning a coordinating role to the National Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. Ministries such as health, education and social protection now embed displacement-focused DRR actions into their planning and budgeting cycles, fostering cross-sectoral ownership.
- Community-centred design: Direct engagement with displaced populations and local DRR actors ensured the policy was grounded in lived realities, enhancing relevance and the potential for effective implementation.
- Political momentum through media engagement: National media coverage of displacement camps helped raise public awareness and generated high-levelpolitical commitment, expediting the policy’s adoption and implementation.
Lessons learned for replication and adaptation
- Integrate displacement explicitly into DRR strategies: While Mozambique’s displacement policy includes DRR, its national DRR strategy lacks a dedicated focus on displacement. Future policy updates should ensure two-way integration for greater coherence.
- Multisectoral collaboration enhances impact: Cross-sectoral teams and consultations with displaced populations contribute to more inclusive, legitimate and implementable policies.
- Clear leadership prevents fragmentation: Assigning leadership to the National Institute for DRR and Management helped avoid siloed approaches and ensured policy coherence.
- Budget alignment is essential for sustainability: Mandating ministries to integrate displacement-related DRR actions into budgets and programming promotes lasting, institutionalized solutions and sustainability.
- Media can drive political will: Strategic media engagement can raise visibility and catalyze high-level commitment, demonstrating the power of communications in advancing policy agendas.
- Local implementation remains a challenge: While national frameworks are advancing, local capacity gaps persist. Investments in decentralized planning, training and resources are vital for translating policy into impact on the ground.