Health authorities in Mozambique are ramping up emergency operations as severe flooding continues to devastate the southern and central regions, affecting more than 720,000 people since mid‑December 2025.
With roughly three‑quarters of those impacted living in Gaza province, the government – supported by World Health Organisation (WHO) experts – is mobilising resources to deliver urgent healthcare and prevent disease outbreaks.
Around 100,000 displaced people are currently sheltering in 113 temporary accommodation centres across Gaza, Maputo, Sofala, Manica, Tete and Zambezia provinces as well as in Maputo City.
The Ministry of Health has prioritised the prepositioning of essential supplies, cholera prevention, strengthened surveillance and coordinated response efforts at all administrative levels.
A joint team from WHO and Maputo province’s health sector recently assessed conditions at three accommodation centres in Maputo and Gaza.
“Health services are present in all the accommodation centres visited, which is encouraging,” WHO health emergency officer Sheila Nhoni said.
She emphasised the need for continuous monitoring to ensure uninterrupted primary care, adequate medical supplies and effective referral systems during the rainy season.
Given the scale of the crisis in Gaza, WHO has deployed two rapid responders to reinforce coordination, support clinical services and track epidemiological trends, particularly for waterborne and vector‑borne diseases.
A WHO medical coordinator has also joined an interagency emergency medical team to strengthen clinical oversight and ensure continuity of care.
“Floods do not only displace families, they disrupt access to basic health services… Health care must continue, even when entire communities are under water,” said Anabela Langa of the Maputo Province Health Sector.
She noted that health teams are working to ensure pregnant women, children and other vulnerable groups continue receiving care despite widespread displacement.
Mozambique faces recurring flood emergencies, and the current crisis follows weeks of heavy rainfall that submerged homes, destroyed infrastructure and disrupted access to basic services.
Since August 2024, WHO has supported preparedness efforts by training surveillance officers and distributing medical supplies – most of them in Gaza – to enable coherent responses.
JN/APA