Food security is a significant concern in flooded areas along river basins in central Mozambique and could spread as additional heavy rains are forecast and cyclones possible during the remainder of the season through the end of March. The Vulnerability Analysis Group (GAV) of the Technical Secretariat for Food Security and Nutrition (SETSAN) has estimated that around 258,000 persons affected by floods are in need of humanitarian assistance until March 2008 in the Zambeze, Save, Pungué and Buzi basins, and at least 226,500 of these people are expected to require assistance through May 2008.

Pockets of moderate food insecurity exist in parts of central and southern Mozambique affected by last year's drought, and 471,000 people in need will benefit from humanitarian assistance until the end of March, as the next cereal harvests begin. The majority of farmers in those areas planted crops before December, and many are now harvesting. However, crops in the south and central, particularly those planted after December, have been significantly affected by low rainfall and the high temperatures since February, and many areas are facing reduced crop yields of up to 50 percent due to the dryness. A current concern now is that if the dryness persists, the accumulation of soil moisture may be insufficient for the requirements of the second cropping season. In some areas where flooding occurred, this is not a concern, as sufficient soil moisture will remain after the recession of the flood waters.

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