Children displaced by some of the worst flooding across southern Africa in decades are facing a growing health crisis, with a lack of running water and destroyed sanitation facilities fuelling a spike in waterborne diseases.
MAPUTO, 11 February 2026 – Children displaced by some of the worst flooding across southern Africa in decades are facing a growing health crisis, with a lack of running water and destroyed sanitation facilities fuelling a spike in waterborne diseases, said Save the Children.
Heavy downpours across several countries in southern Africa have affected more than 1.3 million people, with houses and critical infrastructure destroyed, disrupting access to health and education services. The rainy season is expected to continue for at least another month.
In Zambia, flooding has affected over 4,000 households, destroying over 370 houses and displacing families, and washing away more than 900 hectares of crops, threatening households’ ability to farm or earn an income.
With safe water, sanitation, and waste management services damaged or destroyed, families in Zambia are now battling a cholera outbreak, with over 240 cases reported and seven deaths so far this year. Children are disproportionately affected with 26% of reported cases among children under 15 years, Save the Children said.
Across Mozambique, severe flooding has affected over 844,000 people and claimed over 146 lives [1]. Nearly 181,000 homes have been flooded, alongside 579 schools and more than 1,600 classrooms, disrupting learning for over 300,000 students.
Madame Jane*, a leader of one centre in Gaza Province, currently sheltering over 4,900 people, told Save the Children:
“We have lost everything. As waters begin to recede, men are returning to their land to assess damage and start clearing debris, while children remain in child-friendly spaces, where they can play, recover, and feel safe.
“We cannot stay here forever. When we return home, we will rely on support from the government and other organisations, as we have no food and no remaining crops.”
In Gaza Province—by far the worst hit region— Save the Children teams are reporting that children are drinking, bathing and playing in highly contaminated water, raising fears of an imminent diarrhoea and cholera outbreak. The aid agency said healthcare facilities are overwhelmed, damaged or inaccessible, putting services out of reach for many.
In Zimbabwe, weeks of rain, flooding, and violent storms, have killed at least 118 people and injured at least 61. The rains have affected nearly 8,300 people, including through damaging homes, schools, bridges and health facilities.
A surge in malaria cases is now further threatening the lives of children in Zimbabwe with over 1,700 cases reported in the first week of January alone. Additionally, an increase in diarrhoea is further multiplying the risks for children, with the only available data showing nearly 4,900 cases reported in the first week of January. At least 40% of cases were among children aged under 5, Save the Children said.
In South Africa, the floods have killed 39 people and injured over 150, with more than 19,500 people, many of them children, affected [2]. Many families have been left homeless after nearly 4,000 homes were submerged, destroyed or washed away, particularly in the worst hit provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
Many communities have also been cut off after over 385 roads and bridges were washed away, limiting access to basic services and delaying emergency response. Health facilities make up majority of the 250 critical infrastructure facilities destroyed, with 138 healthcare units damaged disrupting essential services.
South Africa is on high alert over possible outbreaks of waterborne diseases due to extensive damage to water and sanitation infrastructure, with authorities flagging it as a high public health risk and efforts intensified to supply safe drinking water to impacted communities.
Save the Children South Africa CEO, Gugu Xaba, said:
“Children are paying the highest price for a crisis they did not create. With homes, schools, and clinics destroyed, they now face deadly waterborne diseases. This is a moment for government, corporates, and civil society to stand together and ensure safe water, sanitation, and healthcare reach every child.”
Save the Children Country Director in Mozambique, Ilaria Manunza, said:
“I had the opportunity to visit the affected areas in Gaza Province, and through aerial observation I witnessed the massive destruction extending from Maputo Province to Gaza. I met with communities, women, men, and children, who have lost everything. While the long-term impact on these communities will be felt for years to come, our immediate focus is on urgent, life-saving needs across all aspects of daily life: safe shelter, access to education, protection services, food, clean water, and health care to prevent water-borne diseases.”
Save the Children’s Country Director in Malawi and Zimbabwe, Bhekimpilo Khanye, said:
“Children are being hit from multiple sides by flooding and disease. Flood waters are disrupting access to schools and health services, while unsafe water and poor sanitation are accelerating the spread of cholera. If we do not act quickly, children’s health, nutrition, and education will face even greater risks.”
Save the Children Country Director in Zambia, Chilobe Kambikambi, said:
“Children are facing a combination of flooding and disease. Floods are cutting children off from schools and health services, while unsafe water and poor sanitation are driving the spread of cholera. Without urgent action, children’s health, nutrition, and education will continue to suffer.”
Save the Children is supporting families and children affected by widespread flooding across the four countries and has stepped up its efforts in the region to help mitigate the risk of diseases such as cholera and malaria spreading out of control during the rainy season.
ENDS
[1] According to the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction report released February 2, 2026.
[2] According to data from International Federation of Red Cross and Red Cresent Societies.
*Names changed to protect identity.
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Delfhin Mugo, Media Manager – Africa, based in NAIROBI
Delfhin.Mugo@savethechildren.org
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-(1).jpg-ch1683734.jpg/0un42fd7kh08g3xv8443her3158j4e3s.jpg?g=0.5x0.33&w=392&h=261&format=webp&itok=2nAlU_JC "A girl looking at the flood that destroyed her home in Malawi")
