Mozambique: Floods HNRP Addendum - covering the period January - June 2026 (Issue January 2026) [EN/PT]

As of 19 January 2026, the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD) reports that nearly 600,000 people have been affected. The situation continues to evolve rapidly, with the number of affected people increasing as extensive flooding persists and controlled water releases from dams continue to prevent structural failure. These combined factors are prolonging inundation and expanding the geographic spread of impacts. The projected number of people affected by INGD stands at 1.1 million people.

The floods have had devastating consequences on people’s lives, livelihoods, and essential services. Mozambique’s high vulnerability to flooding is exacerbated by housing conditions, with an estimated 90 per cent of the population living in adobe structures, which are highly susceptible to collapse after prolonged rainfall. An estimated 392,000 people are displaced with the majority forced to leave their homes as they are flooded, and with some having their homes destroyed or damaged. Widespread damage has also been reported to health facilities, road networks, and other critical infrastructure, further compounding humanitarian needs. Gaza Province is the most affected, accounting for approximately 75 per cent of the total affected population.

Flooding has caused extensive damage to transport and supply infrastructure, with nearly 5,000 kilometres of roads damaged across nine provinces. This includes sections of the main road linking the capital, Maputo, to the rest of the country, which are currently inaccessible. As a result, supply chains have been severely disrupted, hindering access to food, fuel, and humanitarian assistance. Authorities also report the loss of more than 34,000 livestock, damage to over 104,600 hectares of agricultural land. Nearly 47,300 farmers are impacted, as well as damage to fishing assets and boats.

The Government of Mozambique is leading the response and has established a Mobile Emergency Operations Centre (CENOE) in Gaza Province, providing coordination oversight for all affected provinces. Provincial Emergency Operations Centres are also operational to support decentralized coordination in Gaza, Maputo and Sofala. The National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD), with support from humanitarian partners, continues to relocate people to safer areas and conduct search-and-rescue operations. As of 19 January, accommodation centers are hosting 60,800 people, efforts are ongoing to manage overcrowding and ensure access to basic services in these centres.

The situation remains fluid and highly dangerous. Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, but access challenges persist due to flooded and damaged roads, the risk of flash flooding, and continued water releases from dams in Mozambique and upstream countries. The town of Xai-Xai, near the Limpopo River, has been inundated, prompting evacuations from the provincial capital to higher ground. Authorities have also issued alerts for downtown Xai-Xai, including warnings of crocodile risks in flooded areas.

On 17 January, the Government formally requested United Nations support, including air assets for rescue operations and humanitarian transport, logistics support, civil engineering and disaster management expertise, and assistance to support the temporary restoration of critical access routes and flood control measures.

At this stage, humanitarian access and funding remain the most critical constraints. Large areas remain inaccessible following flooding of major river systems, including the Incomati, Umbeluzi, Limpopo, Save and Buzi rivers. Sections of key highways linking ports to affected areas are cut off. Humanitarian partners are therefore exploring alternative access options, including the feasibility of sea routes between Maputo and the port of Inhambane, closer to the most affected areas.

Flood risks are expected to persist as rains continue over the southern Africa region. It will take time for dam levels to stabilize, floodwaters to recede, and soil conditions to improve sufficiently to allow road access to be restored and comprehensive assessments conducted. Continued controlled water releases remain a significant threat even after heavy rains subside. From a single dam, up to 10,000 cubic metres of water per second have been discharged, illustrating the scale of ongoing risk.

Humanitarian partners are scaling up life-saving assistance, with a focus on decongesting accommodation centres, particularly in Gaza Province, while continuing assessments in hard-to-reach areas. Deployments are underway to strengthen emergency coordination, displacement tracking, WASH, child protection, and other critical response capacities. Additional support is arriving, including search and rescue, logistics, information management, PSEA, and coordination.

Additional funding is urgently required to sustain and scale up the response. This flooding emergency comes on top of large-scale conflict-driven displacement in northern Mozambique, which has already depleted humanitarian stocks and response capacity. The $352 million appeal for conflict-affected populations remains significantly underfunded, and the floods have further increased humanitarian needs and protection risks.