Lift up cyclone-devastated families in Mozambique

Severe floods are causing widespread devastation across Southern Africa. Weeks of heavy rainfall and flooding have reportedly claimed more than 100 lives and affected hundreds of thousands of people across countries including Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

In response to the mounting crisis, Peace Winds has dispatched an emergency assessment team to affected areas in Mozambique, where the damage is particularly severe. Our Mozambique team and additional staff dispatched from Japan are now dedicated to supporting those who are under threat in the affected areas.

Lives Swept Away: A Double Blow to Conflict-Affected Communities

The heavy rainfall that began in late December 2025 across Southern Africa intensified in January, triggering large-scale flooding. Many people have been forced to evacuate after their homes were swept away or destroyed.

Mozambique, where Peace Winds has been providing continuous support since 2019, has been hit hard, particularly in its southern and central regions. According to the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), as of January 20, more than 610,000 people have been affected by the floods, with over 78,000 currently displaced only in Mozambique.

In a press conference on January 20, UNICEF highlighted the dire situation in Mozambique. Beyond the destruction of homes, public facilities, and infrastructure, UNICEF warned of deteriorating water sanitation and nutritional status, which significantly increases health risks, including the spread of infectious diseases.

Mozambique has already been facing a prolonged humanitarian crisis, with many people displaced from their homes due to attacks and ongoing insecurity. On top of this, natural disasters, such as cyclones - which strike almost every year- have further worsened the living conditions of already vulnerable communities. In areas repeatedly affected by flooding, rebuilding lives and livelihoods remains extremely difficult.

“The Greatest Victims of Climate Change”: Natural Disasters Striking Africa

In recent years, rising temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns caused by climate change have led to more frequent and severe natural disasters. The series of typhoons and floods that struck various parts of Asia in the latter half of last year remain fresh in our memories.

In fact, Africa, however, is often cited as the region most severely affected by climate change. Floods, droughts and other disasters occur repeatedly across the continent. In areas with fragile infrastructure and limited resources, recovery and reconstruction are extremely challenging, further exacerbating poverty and food insecurity

Mozambique is no exception. Located along the path of frequent cyclones, the country experiences disasters almost every year. Peace Winds began its operations there in 2019 following a devastating cyclone Idai, and since then, we have stood alongside the people of Mozambique to face these repeated hardships.

With this last flooding, there are serious concerns that the crisis facing internally displaced persons and other vulnerable populations will deepen even further. Peace Winds has strengthened its response capacity and will continue to do everything possible to save those whose lives are at risk.