Building back or breaking apart? How perceptions of justice in durable solutions shape social cohesion in cyclone-related internal displacement in Mozambique

Cyclones are driving internal displacement, yet there is limited evidence on how affected populations perceive the justice dimensions of interventions designed to achieve durable solutions, and how these perceptions shape social cohesion. This paper examines perceptions of distributive, procedural, participatory, and restorative justice in durable solution interventions in cyclone-related displacement settings in Sofala province, Mozambique. Specifically, it asks: (1) How do populations affected by cyclone-related displacement in Sofala province perceive the distributive, procedural, participatory and restorative justice dimensions of durable solution interventions? (2) What implications do these perceptions have for horizontal and vertical social cohesion? The study combines quantitative data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM)'s 2023 Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) with qualitative evidence from interviews and focus group discussions. Findings suggest that perceptions of justice shape social cohesion, particularly through the distribution of support, participation in decision-making, responsiveness to local needs and recognition of displacement-related harms. While recovery interventions by government, humanitarian and development actors contribute to rebuilding lives and strengthening resilience, perceived shortcomings can erode trust, weaken cooperation and strain relationships among affected populations and between communities and institutions, with implications for both horizontal and vertical social cohesion.