Severe floods displace nearly 400,000 in Mozambique, heightening protection risks

GENEVA - Recurrent climate shocks are again driving mass displacement across Mozambique. Since the start of the year, severe flooding has engulfed communities in the southern and central parts of the country - regions already scarred by other extreme weather events, such as tropical storms, cyclones and droughts. The latest floods have displaced around 392,000 people, adding pressure to a country grappling with conflict in the north, which displaced over 300,000 people in the last quarter of 2025 alone.

Across the hardest-hit provinces, including Gaza, Maputo and parts of central Mozambique, floodwaters rose rapidly, leaving families little time to prepare and forcing them to flee without essential belongings, including identity documents. Parents recounted chaotic escape to higher ground, with some children separated from their families during their flight and older people and those with disabilities struggling to keep pace.

Preventive measures and a rapid, Government-led response, coordinated with humanitarian partners and supported by the private sector, have helped avert even greater loss of life. Despite severe access constraints and challenging conditions, close to 20,000 people were evacuated by air, water and road, using all available means of transportation.

An estimated 100,000 people are now sheltering in around 100 temporary accommodation centres, including schools and public buildings. Overcrowding in these centres is severe, heightening protection risks. Many sites, particularly in remote areas, lack adequate privacy, lighting and basic services, creating dangerous conditions for the most vulnerable. Women and girls face heightened risks of gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse. Many are distressed and in need of immediate psychosocial support, against a background of repeated displacement linked to the major floods of 2000 and 2013, while the elderly and people with disabilities struggle to access assistance in sites that are not designed to meet their needs.

Many more people remain stranded in the worst-affected areas, cut off by damaged roads and flooded terrain. Even though the heaviest rains appear to have subsided for now, access remains challenging, leaving displaced families isolated and awaiting assistance. Flooded roads and washed-out bridges are hampering humanitarian access and delaying the delivery of services to affected populations. The destruction of critical infrastructure, including roads, water systems, schools and health facilities, is aggravating protection concerns and disrupting essential services. Schools and health facilities have been damaged or repurposed as accommodation centres.

With partners, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is supporting the Government to provide much-needed assistance, particularly in Gaza Province. Mobile protection teams are identifying and addressing the most critical risks among the most exposed. Efforts are also underway to strengthen prevention and response mechanisms, including mental health and psychosocial support. However, the humanitarian response is under severe strain. This emergency comes on top of ongoing conflict-related displacement in northern Mozambique, which has already depleted stocks. Access challenges, funding shortfalls and the sheer scale of needs are limiting the ability of partners to stabilize overcrowded sites and reach those in need in a timely manner.

This crisis underscores Mozambique's vulnerability to the convergence of multiple shocks - from conflict to extreme weather. With continued rainfall forecast and flood risks remaining high, further displacement is possible. Urgent international support is critical to scale up life-saving assistance and protection services, reinforce overstretched host communities, and prevent deterioration of conditions for displaced families.

UNHCR Mozambique requires $38.2 million in 2026 to meet the rising needs across the country and sustain life-saving protection and basic services for refugees, internally displaced people and host communities.

Media contacts:

• In Mozambique: Isadora Zoni, [email protected], +258 84 430 1425
• In Nairobi (regional): Faith Kasina, [email protected], +254 113 427 094
• In Geneva, Eujin Byun: [email protected], +41 79 747 8719