Africa's most disaster prone country - and it's not one you might expect

Several African countries face high disaster risks due to a combination of natural hazards and socioeconomic vulnerabilities. In a continent already facing high levels of poverty and inequality, natural disasters leave Africans at a greater risk of facing food insecurity, water shortages, displacement, and increased disease burden.

Africa is also disproportionately affected by climate change, which is causing a rise in temperatures, a change in rainfall patterns, and an increased frequency of extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and heatwaves. Somalia, Madagascar, Egypt, and Tanzania are among the most at-risk nations. These countries experience frequent floods, droughts, and storms, with some also facing earthquake risks. However, the country that finds itself the most vulnerable - is Mozambique.

According to the World population review, Mozambique has a World Risk Index Total (WRI) of 34.4. This is calculated by the geometric mean of a country's exposure to natural hazards and its vulnerability.

Mozambique is highly susceptible to natural disasters due to a combination of geographical, climatic, and socio-economic factors.

• The country's coastline is 2,700km along the Indian Ocean which makes it prone to hurricanes and storm surges
• Another contributing factor is the country's abundance of rivers. With 104 rivers, major river basins are formed , making it vulnerable to flooding, especially in low-lying coastal areas.
• Due to climate change, higher ocean temperatures contribute to more frequent and intense cyclones.
• Mozambique lies within the Intertropical Convergence Zone. This is a band of low pressure around the earth, which causes humidity and precipitation to shift rapidly, impacting rainfall patterns and increasing the risk of both droughts and floods.
• Weather phenomena 'El Niño' and 'La Niña', also play a significant role in the weather uncertainty here as they influence rainfall patterns. El Niño can cause droughts, while La Niña can lead to increased cyclones and rainfall.

• High levels of poverty and dependence on subsistence agriculture make populations more vulnerable to the impacts of disasters.
• A large percentage of the population lives in rural areas and relies on agriculture, making them highly susceptible to climate extremes.
• Inadequate infrastructure, particularly in coastal areas and along river basins, exacerbates the impact of disasters.

Mozambique has been actively working on disaster risk reduction since 2006. This has led to various initiatives , including policy innovation, institutional strengthening, community engagement, and financial preparedness.

The National Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (INGC) is mandated to coordinate emergencies and promote disaster prevention. Roles across government ministries have been clarified, with key ministries embedding DRR actions into their planning.

The government is also working on operationalising the DMF and exploring options for sovereign catastrophe insurance coverage for cyclones and drought.