Policy brief - Land and climate change: Rights and environmental displacement in Mozambique

This policy brief addresses key questions and outcomes of the efforts to resettle communities in Mozambique in recovery from Cyclone Idai. Mozambique is a country that is prone to disasters such as floods and cyclones. Climate change is increasing disaster risks. Resettlement is the major solution taken by the government to reduce the number of people living in high-risk areas. But how does such resettlement take place? Are people satisfied with their new places of living? Are they compensated for the loss of property and livelihoods they experience? And what about the people that were using land taken by these new resettlements?

This policy brief discusses these questions and shows realities on the ground. It also looks into the relevant legal framework of protection and argues that there are some gaps that should be addressed especially in relation to expropriation processes. The brief also recommends to address people’s longer-term needs in displacement to ensure that resettlement is a durable solution. For this, collaboration between humanitarian and development actors is required, as well as considerable resources. Finally, the brief recommends that close attention is paid to the relations between old and new settlers at resettlement sites to avoid tensions and conflict.