• Several diverse threats and vulnerabilities due to climate, poverty and conflict are compounding into a severe humanitarian situation.
• Heavy rains hit the southern region of Mozambique between 7 and 11 February, causing widespread flooding and structural damages, particularly in Maputo city and Maputo province.
• At least 43,426 people (8,685 families) have reportedly been affected, including 16,588 people displaced and ten deaths. The Instituto Nacional de Gestão de Desastres (INGD) established accommodation centres and has coordinated government efforts to provide food and non-food items to affected people.
• Localized heavy rains reaching more than 50mm in 24 hours are forecasted for 18-21 February in Gaza, Inhambane, Manica and Sofala provinces. All river basins – Incomati, Limpopo, Maputo, Oungue, Pungue, Umbeluzi, and Zambeze are above the alert level. This may affect thousands of people who may lose their crops as this is the main harvest season.
• Significant rainfall is expected in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Eswatini, raising concerns about the impact of further water release from dams on highly vulnerable people and the limited resources available to respond to the unfolding needs.
• Flooding might affect the main harvest in central and southern Mozambique and further increase the threat of cholera.
• The National Institute of Meteorology of Mozambique (INAM) has warned that the newly formed tropical cyclone Freddy currently heading towards Madagascar has the potential to hit Mozambique around 24 February.
SITUATION OVERVIEW
Between 7-11 February, heavy rains reaching up to 100mm in 24 hours fell on the southern region of the country, causing widespread flooding in Maputo city and Maputo province. The National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk reduction (INGD) reports that as of 17 February 43,426 people (8,685 families) have been affected by flooding, including 16,588 people displaced and ten deaths. Sixteen accommodation centers have been established to host the displaced.
According to data from authorities, 8,684 houses have been flooded, while 35 health units and 684 schools across the province reported damages due to the rain. Some 40,635 hectares of agricultural land has been affected.
Significant damage has been reported as two bridges have been washed away, 300 kms of roads are impassable and some 580 kms more are damaged. A total of 29 energy poles have been damaged resulting in 18,000 people without electricity. On 16 February, INGD led a needs assessment with humanitarian partners in Maputo to have a more in-depth picture of the needs and gaps.
The National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) warned that heavy rains reaching more than 50mm in 24 hours are forecasted for the period between 18 to 21 February in the provinces of Gaza, Inhambane, Manica and Sofala.
All river basins – Incomati, Limpopo, Maputo, Oungue, Pungue, Umbeluzi, and Zambeze are above the threshold level. Authorities estimate that an additional 53,000 people could be affected as a result of weather conditions combined with water releases in dams further upstream. A similar concern persists for the Zambezi river basin – in the center of the
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs