Mozambique is among the most disaster prone countries in the world - combined with high levels of poverty and weak national institutions. The occurrence of natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, drought and earthquakes has consistently had a significant impact on people and the economy. It is estimated that as much as 25 percent of the population faces a high mortality risk from such events, and the country ranks as the second most geographically exposed country in Africa.

Climate change effects have the potential to increase this risk in the future, and can easily undermine development efforts and increase vulnerability of poor people, who depend disproportionately on the environment for their livelihoods. This dependency also highlights the necessity for consideration of sustainable resource use and environmental conservation in poverty alleviation interventions, irrespective of climate change concerns.

Additionally, the legacy of the violence of years past in Mozambique continues to pose a real, albeit diminished threat. Residual mines, unexploded ordnance and questionable safety of stockpile depots are issues that demand attention, if a safe environment for sustainable development is to be guaranteed. 

More about the MDG 7 situation in the country - Ensure Enviromental Sustainability - Source: Report on the Millennium Development Goals - Mozambique 2010