Republic of Korea’s $7.6M Boost Food Aids 233,000 in Conflict-Hit Mozambique

Cabo Delgado, Mozambique’s northernmost province, remains a hotspot of insecurity due to prolonged internal conflict compounded by devastating climate events.

 

In a powerful display of humanitarian commitment, the Republic of Korea has extended vital support to the World Food Programme (WFP) in Mozambique for the second consecutive year, contributing a total of US$ 7.6 million to address mounting food insecurity in the northern regions of the country. The latest aid package comprises over 5,000 metric tonnes of high-quality rice, destined to sustain more than 233,000 vulnerable individuals in Cabo Delgado Province, a region crippled by overlapping humanitarian crises.

Addressing Compound Shocks in Northern Mozambique

Cabo Delgado, Mozambique’s northernmost province, remains a hotspot of insecurity due to prolonged internal conflict compounded by devastating climate events. During the 2024–2025 cyclone season, the region was battered by three cyclones in three months, impacting over 1.4 million people. Many of those affected were already struggling with displacement and the destruction of livelihoods caused by years of armed conflict. These concurrent shocks have placed an immense burden on humanitarian actors and severely undermined food and nutrition security.

The WFP welcomed this fresh contribution as timely and strategic. Antonella D'Aprile, WFP’s Country Director in Mozambique, emphasized its significance:

“This support comes at a crucial time — it’s more than a donation, it’s a lifeline that helps protect people’s dignity and restore hope in a region that has endured far too much. Thanks to the continued solidarity of the Republic of Korea, we can reach the most fragile communities in Cabo Delgado with food assistance.”

A Deepening and Durable Partnership

The Republic of Korea has emerged as a reliable and consistent humanitarian partner for Mozambique. Since 2019, its contributions to the WFP in the country have exceeded US$ 16.3 million, focused not only on delivering life-saving food aid but also on supporting the restoration of livelihoods and long-term resilience.

Bok Won Kang, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Mozambique, reaffirmed the country’s ongoing solidarity with the people of Mozambique:

“This contribution reflects the strong partnership between the Republic of Korea and Mozambique, and our shared commitment to humanitarian values. In the face of conflict and climate shocks, it is essential to act with urgency and compassion. The ROK will continue to stand by Mozambique on the path to recovery and resilience.”

Strategic Food Assistance to Sustain Lives and Dignity

The rice shipment will be used to support emergency response operations across conflict-affected districts in Cabo Delgado, where thousands of families are living in temporary shelters or are struggling to rebuild amid instability. The food assistance will help avert the escalation of hunger and malnutrition, particularly among women, children, and the elderly, who are often the most affected in crises of this magnitude.

WFP’s field operations in Mozambique remain under strain due to rising operational costs and funding shortfalls. The Republic of Korea’s donation significantly bolsters the agency’s capacity to deliver amidst these constraints, while reinforcing international momentum around climate-sensitive and conflict-aware humanitarian responses.

Global Solidarity in Action

This renewed commitment from Korea serves as a model of international solidarity that goes beyond temporary aid—it embodies a long-term investment in recovery, peace, and food sovereignty for Mozambique’s most at-risk communities. As the region grapples with overlapping emergencies, contributions such as this one ensure that the most vulnerable do not fall through the cracks of a stretched global aid system.