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Situation Overview
Heavy rains since mid-December have caused widespread flooding in Gaza, Maputo city, Maputo Province, Inhambane, Manica, Sofala and Zambezia provinces, with several river basins above alert levels. Over 690,000 people have been affected, with numbers expected to rise as rains continue in Mozambique and floodwater persists. Gaza is the most affected province. Evacuations are ongoing amid significant risks to health facilities, schools and critical infrastructure2.
On 16th January, the Government of Mozambique (GoM) declared a nationwide Red Alert and scaled up emergency response measures. On January 22nd, the President of the Republic indicated to establish the Emergency Operations Room at the Presidency, with the aim of ensuring continuous monitoring of the disaster Mozambique is facing, as a result of heavy rains, floods, and overflowing rivers affecting the southern and central regions.
According to the Minsitry of Agriculture, environment and fisheries (MAAP), as per 26 January more than 244,000 farmers have been impacted with standing crops washed away and key productive assets lost across crops, livestock and fisheries. Significant livestock deaths and overcrowding of surviving herds are increasing disease risk, raising the likelihood of prolonged acute food insecurity without timely support.
As of 27th January 2026 a total of 111 Accomodation Centres (ACs) were opened, with +101,000 people displaced, where food, WASH, health, logistics and protection services are the priorities.
Challenges impeding response: Access is becoming a major issue as the main national road (EN1) is flooded and the water levels are rising, especially in the Gaza province. The city of Xai-Xai, which is the capital of Gaza province, is inundated and cut off from the southern part of the country, with very limited movement possible due to floods. This delays assistance and rescue missions on the ground. The limited number of operational FSL actors in the southern part of the country has also been a challenge for the first few days of the response. Partners are progressively mobilizing and deploying to respond to the new needs in this region, while keeping the response in the conflict affected areas of the north.
Main needs and gaps to be filled: Additional funding is urgently required to provide life saving food assistance and life saving agriculture and livelihood to the most affected populations.