Situation Overview
Mozambique is experiencing widespread flooding following intense and prolonged rainfall during the 2025/2026 rainy season. Since late December 2025, flooding has affected nearly all provinces, with the southern and central regions hardest hit, particularly Gaza Province, alongside Maputo and parts of Inhambane. Rainfall levels in several areas have exceeded historical averages, and continued rains are forecast, increasing the risk of further flooding and displacement.
The floods have resulted in significant loss of life and widespread damage to housing, roads, bridges, drainage systems, and health facilities. More than 111,000 people have been evacuated to accommodation centres, while thousands of homes have been destroyed or flooded. Access to several districts remains severely constrained, limiting humanitarian reach and the continuity of essential services, particularly outside Xai-Xai and in remote districts such as Massangena, Chicualacuala, Mapai, and Mabalane.
Impact on Women, Girls, and Newborns
The crisis is disproportionately affecting women, girls, adolescents, and newborns. Displacement, overcrowding, limited lighting, and lack of privacy in accommodation centres are increasing risks of sexual violence and exploitation. An estimated 19,600 pregnant women urgently require antenatal, postnatal, and safe delivery care, while more than 2,300 newborns are at high risk due to disrupted health services.
Over 165,000 women and girls of reproductive age are facing critical gaps in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) services. Shortages of contraceptives, essential medical equipment, and referral capacity are undermining access to life-saving care, including emergency obstetric services and clinical management of rape.
UNFPA Response
UNFPA has activated its emergency SRH and GBV response in Gaza Province, prioritising displacement and accommodation centres. Rapid joint assessments have been conducted with health authorities and partners to assess service functionality and identify urgent gaps. SRH tents have been deployed to support service continuity where health facilities are damaged or overstretched, with maternal and child health services already operational in Chibuto District.
In parallel, UNFPA has activated a multisectoral GBV response, including safety audits, rapid assessments, and the establishment of Women and Girls’ Safe Spaces in selected accommodation centres. Dignity kits have been distributed to women and girls, alongside awareness sessions on available SRH services, GBV reporting mechanisms, and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA). Adolescents, particularly adolescent girls, are being prioritised for risk mitigation and targeted support.
UNFPA continues to work closely with government counterparts, UN agencies, and partners through inter-agency coordination mechanisms to strengthen access, logistics, and service delivery amid ongoing constraints.
Key Challenges and Funding Needs
Access limitations, logistical and fuel constraints, and shortages of essential medical supplies continue to hamper the scale-up of the response. Significant funding gaps persist, with only a small proportion of required resources mobilised to date. Without additional support, critical life-saving interventions for maternal health, newborn care, and GBV prevention and response remain at risk.
UNFPA is calling for urgent, sustained funding to scale up sexual and reproductive health services, prevent maternal mortality, protect women and adolescent girls, and ensure dignity and safety for affected populations as Mozambique remains in the peak of the rainy and cyclone season.
