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Tens of thousands of people are being rescued in Mozambique as unprecedented flooding wreaks havoc across the southern African nation—the worst the country has seen in a generation.
Since January 7, at least 642,122 people have been affected, particularly in southern and central regions, with 12 deaths recorded so far, according to provisional data from the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction.
Rescue teams from Brazil, South Africa, and the UK are assisting with life-saving operations, according to BBC.
Many of those displaced are farmers from low-lying areas, whose livestock and rice fields have been submerged.
Despite the destruction, the displaced expressed relief at being on higher ground.
As waters continue to rise, authorities and international teams are racing against time to evacuate vulnerable communities and provide relief to thousands left stranded by the unprecedented floods.
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Meanwhile, Norway pledged US$2 million to support families affected by devastating floods in Mozambique, which have impacted more than 141,000 families in just 15 days, the Norwegian Embassy in Maputo announced on Sunday.
Norway’s Minister of Development Åsmund Aukrust said the assistance reflects Norway’s commitment to climate justice, noting that Mozambique is among the countries hardest hit by climate change despite contributing little to global emissions, according to clubofmozambique.
“When a catastrophe like this occurs, it is essential that Norway helps wherever it can,” Aukrust said in a statement issued by the Embassy.
The funds will be channelled through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Mozambique, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the Norwegian Refugee Council.
The assistance will support the provision of safe shelter, access to clean drinking water, sanitation, search and rescue operations, and direct cash assistance to affected families.
The contribution comes in addition to the US$5 million recently mobilised by the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), of which Norway is one of the largest global donors.
Norway reaffirmed its commitment to solidarity and international cooperation to help communities respond to urgent needs and recover from the disaster.
According to Mozambique’s National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD), floods recorded since 7 January have affected 651,843 people, resulting in 12 deaths, 45 injuries, and four missing persons.
A total of 95,870 people are currently housed in 94 accommodation centres nationwide.
INGD data show that 141,251 families have been affected, with 3,396 houses partially destroyed, 767 completely destroyed, and 71,600 flooded. Compared to figures released on Friday, the number of affected people has increased by more than 10,000, mainly in the provinces of Maputo and Gaza.
The floods have also damaged 229 health facilities, 364 schools, three bridges, and more than 1,336 kilometres of road. Agricultural losses include 232,163 hectares of farmland affected, impacting over 174,000 farmers, as well as the death of more than 74,000 livestock.
Since the start of the rainy season in October, a total of 131 people have died, 144 have been injured, and nearly 780,000 people have been affected across the country.
Rescue operations continue for hundreds of families still trapped by floodwaters, particularly in southern Mozambique, after prolonged heavy rainfall forced dams — including those in neighbouring countries — to release excess water.
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