The United Nations has raised alarm over a sharp rise in civilian displacement in northern Mozambique, warning that around 300,000 people have fled attacks in recent months.

A jihadist insurgency in Cabo Delgado has continued to spread, claiming more than 6,200 lives, according to the conflict monitoring group ACLED. The violence has also moved into neighbouring Nampula, pushing families to leave their homes as fighting intensifies.

The UN Refugee Agency said nearly 100,000 people fled the region in the past two weeks alone. Xavier Creach, UNHCR’s representative in Mozambique, told reporters in Geneva that at least 287,000 people have been registered as displaced over the last three months, although the real figure is likely higher.

“I would say this figure is only the people who have been registered,” he said, adding that many others have not been counted. “I think we can talk approximately of a minimum of 300,000 displaced over there since July.”

The agency said it has documented escalating attacks on villages and a rapid spillover of violence into areas previously considered safe. This has made it harder to reach communities that need food, shelter and medical assistance.

Creach described the situation as marked by “very challenging needs” and a “largely insufficient response.” The UNHCR warned that humanitarian groups cannot sustain operations without additional resources, urging urgent international support.

Since the conflict began in 2017, more than 1.3 million people in Mozambique have been displaced, according to the agency.