Heavy rains since mid-December have caused widespread flooding across Mozambique, particularly in the provinces of Gaza, Maputo, and Sofala. Several major river basins have risen above alert levels, leading to extensive inundation, displacement, and damage to communities as floodwaters persist and rainfall continues.
More than 400,000 people have been affected to date, and the number is expected to rise as rains continue. Gaza Province remains the most severely impacted, with large-scale evacuations underway. The flooding poses significant risks to health facilities, schools, and other critical infrastructure, disrupting essential services and increasing public health concerns.
In response to the escalating emergency, the Government of Mozambique has appealed to the United Nations and the international community for urgent assistance. Priority needs include search and rescue operations using both air and road assets, logistical and technical support in civil engineering and disaster management, and overall life-saving humanitarian aid.
The National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD) has established a mobile Emergency Operations Center in Gaza Province and is overseeing the national humanitarian response. United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations are providing multisectoral support, including emergency coordination, child protection, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions, and displacement monitoring.
UN-SPIDER, together with partners such as ZFL (Center for Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces (ZFL) | UN-SPIDER Knowledge Portal) in Germany, is actively coordinating with the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD) to support disaster response efforts. Humanitarian partners are also mobilizing search and rescue operations, and the Virtual On-Site Operations Coordination Centre (Virtual OSOCC) has been activated to strengthen coordination among responders. However, additional funding remains urgently required to ensure the availability of essential supplies and services as the situation continues to evolve.
Original article: Flash Update No.3 – Heavy rains and floods in central and southern Mozambique (As of 18 January 2026) - Mozambique | ReliefWeb
