Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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January 20, 2026 Humanitarian aid
Catastrophic floods have caused widespread destruction in Mozambique. Residents are left without access to food for themselves and their families, and face increased risks of disease outbreaks and even the threat of crocodiles in urban areas, UN humanitarian agencies warned on Tuesday.
Paola Emerson, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) office in Mozambique, told reporters in Geneva that floods caused by heavy rains in the first weeks of the new year have affected more than half a million people. The number of victims continues to rise.
Destroyed roads and hospitals
Among the worst-hit regions are Gaza Province, as well as the provinces of Maputo and Sofala.
Speaking from the city of Xai-Xai, the capital of Gaza province, Emerson emphasized that 90 percent of the country's population lives in mud houses – "earth structures that literally melt after a few days of rain."
According to her, medical facilities, roads, and other critical infrastructure have been severely damaged. Around 5,000 kilometers of roads in nine provinces have been damaged, including the main highway connecting the capital, Maputo, with the rest of the country. This is causing significant disruptions to supply chains.
Risks of crocodile infestations
At the same time, dams continue to release water despite the weakening rains.
"The dam alone releases up to 10,000 cubic meters of water. That's about 25 times the volume of water that could fit in the press briefing room you're in right now," Emerson told reporters.
The Mozambican government declared a state of emergency and established an emergency response center in Gaza Province. The town of Xai-Xai, located near the Limpopo River, was flooded, forcing authorities to evacuate residents. Emerson said warnings have been issued in the city center, "including warnings about the risk of crocodiles in flooded areas."
"River levels are rising, and they're reaching urban and densely populated areas," she said. "Crocodiles living in the Limpopo River can enter populated areas that are now underwater."
Threats to children's health
Also speaking from Xai-Xai, UNICEF Mozambique's communications director, Guy Taylor, warned of "deadly threats" to children.
He said the combination of waterborne diseases and malnutrition "often proves fatal." He recalled that even before the floods, one in four children in Mozambique suffered from chronic malnutrition.
Their situation is now exacerbated by food shortages and limited access to healthcare. Taylor added that Mozambique is now entering its annual cyclone season, creating the risk of a double crisis.
"We can prevent illness, death and irreversible loss for children, but we need to act quickly," he stressed.
A UNICEF representative noted that Mozambique is a “country of children and youth,” with the average age of the population being 17 years.
"When floods and cyclones occur – as they have done repeatedly and with increasing frequency in recent years – it is children and young people who suffer the most," he concluded.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.