Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world. It faces many development challenges, including pronounced and widespread income poverty, low life expectancy, and wide gaps in educational achievement. Moreover, the country experiences high levels of climate variability and extreme weather events (i.e., droughts, floods and tropical cyclones). Droughts are the most frequent disaster, occurring every three to four years, and are a major constraint to development, since most of the country’s population, especially the poor, reside in rural areas and rely on rainfed agriculture. Mozambique also lies at the end of numerous transnational river basins, and so flooding in its deltas is a perennial threat to both farmers and infrastructure, especially when coupled with cyclonic storm surges.
Mozambique is already placing special emphasis on the prevention of natural hazards and improving early warning systems. Adaptation measures are being implemented in the agriculture, fisheries, energy, environmental and water sectors, with particular attention being paid to the coastal zones and erosion control.
Selected Indicators for Impacts and Vulnerabilities
