• Crisis Severity ?
    1.5
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Impact ?
    1.7
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Humanitarian Conditions ?
    0.7
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Complexity ?
    2.6
    0 Very low
    Very high 5
  • Access Constraints ?
    1.0
    No constraints
    Extreme constraints

Overview

03/03/2023

Mozambique is highly vulnerable to climate change and experiences repeated climatic hazards, including depressions and tropical cyclones and above-average rains throughout the rainy season, which cause riverine and flash floods. The rainy season typically runs from November–April in the northern region and October–March in the southern and central regions. ?

In March–April 2019, flooding damaged public and critical infrastructure, including schools, health facilities, water facilities, roads, and bridges. Many people working in agriculture lost their source of livelihood, such as crops and livestock. The overflowing of dams further worsened the impact of flash floods, as water discharged from the dams to reduce their risk of bursting added to the flooding in affected areas. ?
 
In February 2023, flooding caused displacements; cut off some regions (such as Matutuíne district of Maputo province) from humanitarian access; and increased the vulnerability of the affected population to the spread of waterborne diseases, such as cholera, potentially further straining the already weak health sector. Response to the floods is particularly challenging in Cabo Delgado given the insecurity resulting from the violent insurgency of Islamist armed groups since 2017. ?

Latest Developments

03/03/2023

From the beginning of February 2023, heavy rains caused floods in Maputo province and Maputo city. An estimated 43,400 people were affected, more than 16,000 displaced and 10 fatalities reported as at 17 February. Main harvest that runs from March to May in southern and central Mozambique might be affected as more than 71,000 hectares of cropland have been flooded. ?