Southern Mozambique was hit by devastating floods that claimed over 100 lives and affected roughly 432,000 people, including thousands of children at extreme risk. The disaster caused widespread destruction of homes, livestock, and infrastructure, notably in Gaza Province after the unprecedented opening of all 14 floodgates at the Massingir Dam. Save the Children has been actively responding by using boats to rescue stranded families and providing emergency aid in temporary accommodation centres. Despite these efforts, the organization warns that humanitarian resources are critically strained and urgent international support is required to prevent the crisis from escalating further as heavy rains continue.
MAPUTO, 19 JANUARY 2026: Thousands of children are at risk from severe floods in southern Mozambique that have damaged homes and submerged roads, with Save the Children using boats to relocate some of the families most at risk and scores of people stranded in inaccessible areas.
Over 100 people have been killed in the disaster, with local media reporting at least two children amongst those who have drowned. The National Institute for Disaster Management said about 432,000 people have been affected in Maputo, Gaza, Inhambane, Sofala and Zambezia, with nearly 30,000 houses partially damaged or destroyed [1].
Save the Children is assisting by relocating families via boat from low-lying areas to temporary accommodation centres where they are receiving emergency assistance. Needs are far surpassing resources, however, with some displacement centres housing both people and livestock, creating health and hygiene risks for children.
The situation is particularly critical in Gaza Province, where for the first time in nearly 50 years all 14 floodgates of the Massingir Dam have opened, releasing up to 17,000 cubic metres of water per second. This has caused the Limpopo River to overflow, submerging the town of Chókwè and much of Guijá district, and displacing thousands.
According to the government, some 322 kms (200 miles) of roads have been damaged, along with 18 health facilities, and some 27,000 heads of livestock – essentially for family incomes – have been lost, according to the UN.
Mass evacuations are ongoing, with people still stranded in inaccessible areas, and several river basins on high alert.
Since mid-December 2025, exceptionally heavy rainfall in Mozambique and upstream countries has filled major reservoirs to capacity, forcing unprecedented water release into already swollen rivers. Last week the Government of Mozambique declared a National Red Alert, warning that the situation may worsen in the coming days as rainfall continues and river levels rise further.
Ilaria Manunza, Country Director of Save the Children in Mozambique, said:
“The floods are unfolding amid a wider humanitarian emergency, pushing already exhausted communities further into crisis. With continued heavy rains forecast and response capacity severely strained, families are being displaced, children are at extreme risk, and urgent support is needed now.
“Resources are critically limited. Children are once again paying the highest price of Mozambique’s climate crisis, with homes, schools and livelihoods underwater. Without immediate international support, this emergency will escalate further.”
For further enquiries please contact:
Delfhin Mugo Delfhin.mugo@savethechildren.org
Daphnee Cook Daphnee.cook@savethechildren.org
