Intensifying emergency response to Mozambique flooding disaster

Health authorities in Mozambique have intensified emergency response to assist hundreds of thousands of people devastated by severe flooding in the southern and central regions since mid-December 2025. The flooding has affected more than 720,000 people, with 75% residing in Gaza Province. Around 100,000 people are being housed in 113 temporary accommodation centres in Gaza, Maputo, Sofala, Manica, Tete and Zambezia provinces, and Maputo City. The response includes prepositioning essential supplies, with a focus on cholera and other health priorities, coordinating the response at national, provincial and district levels and strengthening active surveillance, prevention and disease control. As part of preparedness for health emergencies such as these, World Health Organization (WHO) has helped strengthen early warning and risk monitoring systems in Gaza, Tete and Maputo provinces since August 2024. This includes training surveillance officers and distributing 266 tablets—almost two-thirds of these in Gaza Province—for real-time data collection and transmission. On 23 January 2026, a team of experts from WHO and the health sector of Maputo Province visited three accommodation centres, one in Maputo Province and two in Gaza Province, to conduct a health needs assessment. The findings of the needs assessment will help to fill gaps in the provision of health services at the centres. Dr Sheila Nhoni, health emergency officer at WHO Mozambique, stresses the importance of continuous monitoring to ensure the availability of essential medical equipment and uninterrupted primary healthcare services. Given the severity of the situation in Gaza, WHO has deployed two rapid responders to strengthen coordination and monitor epidemiological trends on potential waterborne or vector-borne disease outbreaks. Dr Anabela Langa, from Maputo Province Health Sector, emphasized that healthcare must continue even in temporary accommodation centres for the most vulnerable. WHO also participates in daily coordination meetings and provides ongoing technical guidance.