Mozambique Floods: Decades-Worst Devastation

Mozambique is grappling with severe floods, considered among the worst in decades, resulting in over 150 deaths and impacting approximately 800,000 people across southern and central provinces. Emilia Machel, displaced with her children, recounts fleeing their Chokwe home due to the rising Limpopo River, a site that has seen devastating floods in 2000, 2013, and now again.

The agricultural heartland has suffered immense damage, with vast farmlands and food storage barns destroyed. Major cities like Xai-Xai and Matola have experienced severe urban flooding, exacerbated by high population density and blocked waterways, forcing thousands into accommodation centers.

Despite improved early warning systems post-Cyclone Idai in 2019, critics argue response efforts are insufficient. Residents like Machel were reluctant to leave until their homes were submerged, highlighting difficulties in timely evacuations and the challenges faced by authorities in assisting everyone in need.

Humanitarian agencies report a lack of resources to manage the crisis, compounded by an ongoing rebellion in northern Mozambique. Displaced individuals at accommodation centers, often housing many children, face inadequate food, poor sanitation, and a heightened risk of waterborne diseases, especially for those already suffering from malnutrition.

Mozambique, highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, requires significant international funding for adaptation. The desire to rebuild and return home persists, but the path forward is arduous, marked by loss and the ongoing struggle for adequate support.