MSF Forced to Stop Lifesaving Care in Mozambique Due to Upsurge of Violence

MSF suspends lifesaving medical care in northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado after violent attacks, leaving thousands without essential health services (image source)

HARARE — The upsurge of violence in northern Mozambique is making it extremely difficult to deliver medical activities safely in multiple areas of Cabo Delgado province. Following attacks this month in Mocímboa da Praia, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has taken the painful decision to temporarily suspend activities in the town and district. MSF has urged all armed actors to actively ensure the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers and medical facilities from ongoing violence.

“We are deeply concerned about the escalating violence and its direct impact on every aspect of people’s lives, including access to healthcare,” said Víctor García Leonor, MSF head of operations for Mozambique. “Hundreds of thousands of people are in dire need of medical and humanitarian assistance in Cabo Delgado. But insecurity is continuously cutting them off from reaching it. This results in preventable deaths and suffering.”

With many peripheral health centres destroyed by conflict that has plagued Cabo Delgado since late 2017, much of the population relies on Nanduadua Health Center in Mocímboa da Praia for essential care. But since early September, armed men have killed and injured civilians, threatened residents and looted goods. The attacks reached neighborhoods just a few kilometres from the town centre, forcing thousands to flee. Violence has also spread into other districts and neighbouring provinces.

As of 26 September, MSF has suspended all medical activities in Mocímboa da Praia. Services carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Health—including the emergency room and maternity ward at the District Rural Hospital, other lifesaving care, and the patient referral system—are now on hold. Mental health and psychosocial support, along with outreach activities in remote areas, have also been suspended. Some patients requiring specialised care have been referred to health facilities in Pemba and Mueda.

Throughout 2025, MSF has repeatedly been forced to suspend medical activities across Cabo Delgado for days or weeks at a time due to insecurity. “MSF remains committed to standing by the people of Cabo Delgado and to resume activities in Mocímboa da Praia as soon as we obtain guarantees that our staff will be able to work in a safe manner,” García Leonor stressed.

Mocímboa da Praia district has a population of about 150,000–200,000 people. The town was first attacked in October 2017 and has since seen waves of violence and displacement before families slowly began returning. The September attacks have been the most violent in years. Amid funding cuts and worsening instability, communities face dwindling access to basic services after nearly eight years of conflict. Around 430,000 people remain internally displaced, many having fled multiple times. The already fragile health system is under enormous strain, compounded by new emergencies from sudden displacements.

“Time and again we call on all armed actors and stakeholders to protect civilians, medical facilities and humanitarian workers from violence,” García Leonor said. “Safe and unhindered access to healthcare is vital for communities caught in conflict and their freedom of movement should be guaranteed when they are seeking protection.”

Beyond Mocímboa da Praia, MSF continues to operate in Mueda, Macomia and Palma, offering outpatient consultations, emergency care, maternity and paediatric services, HIV and TB treatment, and mental health support. In the first half of 2025, MSF carried out nearly 100,000 outpatient consultations and provided mental health group activities to over 35,000 people through mobile clinics, outreach activities, and hospital support in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.