The visit of the UN Special Rapporteur to Mozambique, which will last until October 2, is aimed at gathering information on the impact of climate change on human rights and assessing how these rights guide existing and planned climate measures.
During the mission, the specialist will meet with representatives of the government, civil society, academic circles, UN agencies, the private sector, and other stakeholders, including communities affected by climate change.
The Rapporteur will also examine the role of international technical assistance, capacity building, and international financing in supporting the resilience and adaptation of vulnerable populations.
In a statement from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, it was noted that the Special Rapporteur looks forward to learning about the impact of climatic phenomena on human rights, as well as the role of international technical assistance, capacity building, and international financing.
Preliminary findings and recommendations from the visit will be presented on October 2 at a press conference at the headquarters of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Maputo.
Mozambique is considered one of the countries most severely affected by climate change globally, as during the rainy season, which runs from October to April, the country cyclically faces floods and tropical cyclones.
According to the latest update from the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD), published in early May, the number of fatalities reached 311 during the last rainy season, and approximately 1.07 million people were affected since October.
The Special Rapporteur's visit comes against the backdrop of Mozambique being among the top three Southern African countries of concern regarding the 2026/27 El Niño phenomenon, alongside Madagascar and Malawi. International organizations predict increased drought, food insecurity, and displacement.
The National Meteorological Institute forecasts a strong El Niño from November 2026 to April 2027, with reduced rainfall in the south and central parts of the country.
The need to strengthen preparedness and response is also driven by accumulated vulnerabilities: about 3.5 million people are in a state of acute food insecurity, and about 662 thousand are internally displaced persons, mainly linked to the conflict in Cabo Delgado.
The UN warns that the combination of drought, extreme temperatures, water scarcity, and disease outbreaks could exacerbate consequences for vulnerable populations, highlighting the importance of systems and equipment capable of forecasting and responding to emergencies.
Later, the Special Rapporteur will present a report on the mission to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2027, including their findings and recommendations regarding the situation in the country.
