Heavy rain and persistent rainfall have led to extensive flooding in large parts of Mozambique since mid-December. More than 600,000 people have already been affected and the UN estimates that as many as one million could be affected if the situation worsens further. Norway is now contributing NOK 18 million to support life-saving work in the hardest-hit areas.
In addition, the UN’s CERF has recently released around USD 5 million for relief efforts and Norway is contributing around 10 percent of these funds.
The flooding has particularly affected the southern and central provinces, where homes, roads, health facilities and schools have been destroyed or flooded. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated to temporary centers with urgent needs for water, sanitation, food, shelter and health care. Large agricultural areas are under water, which poses a serious risk to food security in the future.
Clean water and sanitation
– The situation for the hundreds of thousands affected by the floods in Mozambique is deeply serious. It affects children, families and local communities who are already living under demanding conditions, and many have lost both their homes, livelihoods and health services. This support helps ensure that more people receive rapid help in a very difficult situation, says Minister for Development Cooperation Åsmund Aukrust.
The new Norwegian funds will be distributed between the UN Organization for Migration (IOM), which will receive ten million kroner, and the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), which will receive five million kroner. In addition, Norwegian support ensures that the Norwegian Refugee Council can increase its efforts by three million kroner. These organizations play a crucial role in the relief effort and contribute, among other things, to safe accommodation, access to clean water and sanitation, search and rescue work and cash assistance to people affected by the floods.
State secretary to visit
– Mozambique is one of the countries in the world that is hit hardest by climate change. They are hit by extreme weather again and again even though they have not contributed to the climate crisis. When such a disaster strikes, it is important that Norway stands up and contributes where we can, says the Minister of International Development.
Next week, State Secretary Stine Håheim will visit Mozambique for talks with authorities and partners. The flood situation and the needs in the humanitarian response will be among the topics discussed.
Norway will continue the dialogue with the Mozambican authorities, the UN and humanitarian partners to ensure a coordinated and effective response going forward.