UN: Food crisis looms as Mozambique conflict rages

The UN has warned that escalating conflict in northern Mozambique could mean "crisis" levels of food insecurity continue into next year.

The World Food Programme said it was deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Cabo Delgado province, with more than 300,000 people reliant on aid after abandoning their homes and crops.

The UN agency said population displacements could also accelerate the spread of coronavirus in the province, which currently has the second highest number of infections in Mozambique.

Government forces have been battling an Islamist insurgency in the north for three years.