MSF provides 1,500 consultations after attacks displace 15,000 in northern Mozambique

In May 2026, armed attacks by Islamic State Mozambique in Ancuabe district forced thousands of residents to flee, with more than 15,000 people displaced across the district and neighbouring areas. Over 5,000 of those displaced sought safety in pre-existing resettlement sites and host communities in Nanjua.

Doctors Without Borders launched an emergency response that included mobile primary healthcare clinics, mental health support, and water and sanitation services.

In just a few weeks, MSF teams carried out over 1,500 consultations, treating an average of more than 150 patients per day. The most common conditions treated were upper respiratory tract infections, skin diseases, and malaria, which is prevalent in children under five. MSF teams also observed a growing need for mental health care among displaced people in Nanjua.

Many displaced people reported sleep disturbances, stress-related symptoms, body pain, and palpitations linked to uncertainty, repeated displacement, difficult living conditions, lack of necessities, and concerns for children. There are no mental health professionals at the local health centre in Nanjua.

Newly displaced families arrived in Nanjua with little or nothing and lacked shelter and food.

In Nanjua, residents and displaced people must travel approximately four kilometres to reach the nearest health facility, where they are required to pay for treatment despite frequent shortages of essential medicines. MSF is now phasing out its emergency support in Ancuabe district as the main health needs have been addressed.

The organization will donate essential medicines to the local Ministry of Health post to help sustain free healthcare services.