19,000+ Rescued in Mozambique Floods by Multi-Nation Team

When floodwaters swept through southern Mozambique, rescue teams didn't hesitate. In just days, they've pulled 19,254 people to safety from submerged communities across Maputo and Gaza provinces.

The operation is a masterclass in coordination. Forty-four boats, nine helicopters, four light aircraft, and one amphibious vessel have been working around the clock to reach stranded families. More than 11,000 people were rescued from Maputo province alone, with another 7,500 pulled from neighboring Gaza.

Now safely housed in 94 government accommodation centers, flood survivors are receiving food and essential supplies. The National Disaster Management Institute is ramping up resources daily, supported by international partners and humanitarian organizations working together to meet urgent needs.

With the main north-south highway cut off at multiple points, Mozambicans are showing remarkable adaptability. The Incomati River washed away several kilometers of road at Incoluane, about 100 kilometers north of Maputo city.

The Bright Side

An airport once dismissed as unnecessary has become a lifeline. Chonguene airport in Gaza, previously underutilized, now serves as the crucial link between isolated communities and the capital. Between January 19 and 23, Mozambique Airlines operated 42 flights carrying over 3,000 passengers who would have been stranded otherwise.

The airline quickly ramped up service to six flights daily. Starting this Monday, a maritime route will open between Maputo and Chonguene port, adding capacity for 100 passengers per six-hour journey plus emergency supplies and commercial goods.

Businesses are adapting too. A government delegation met with companies in the central city of Beira to establish new supply routes. Food, fuel, and essentials will now flow from Beira to affected areas, completely bypassing the flooded sections of highway.

Teams remain vigilant about ongoing risks. Mozambican dam specialists have traveled to South Africa to monitor the privately owned Senteeko dam, which sits on a tributary of the Crocodile River. If needed, at-risk areas will be evacuated before any problems develop.

The response demonstrates what's possible when governments, businesses, and humanitarian groups work as one to protect lives.