Story by Oleen Ndori, Foreign Editor
ZIMBABWE has dispatched humanitarian relief to Mozambique following devastating floods that have displaced thousands of people and damaged critical infrastructure across the neighbouring country.
The handover of the relief aid was presided over by Acting President Colonel (Retired) Dr Kembo Mohadi in Harare this Wednesday, marking Zimbabwe’s formal response to Mozambique’s appeal for assistance after severe flooding triggered by persistent rainfall across the Southern African region.
Heavy rains swept across parts of SADC in early January, with Mozambique and South Africa among the worst affected. On January 16, Mozambique issued a red alert after widespread flooding, prompting President Emmerson Mnangagwa to authorise emergency assistance on January 22.
The consignment handed over includes grain, food supplies, building materials and blankets, as part of Zimbabwe’s humanitarian response under the ZimAid framework.
Speaking at the ceremony, Acting President Mohadi said Zimbabwe’s intervention reflected strong bilateral ties, regional solidarity and a commitment to collective humanitarian action.
“The Government of Zimbabwe responded promptly to the urgent request for assistance from the Republic of Mozambique. Guided by our values of solidarity, good neighbourliness, and African unity, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, graciously permitted the deployment of air rescue helicopters to support search and rescue operations in the affected areas,” he said.
“This tangible support underscores Zimbabwe’s unwavering commitment to regional cooperation and humanitarian assistance. Today’s mobilisation under the ZimAid framework demonstrates this Ubuntu spirit in action,” he added.
Acting President Mohadi commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade for coordinating the response as the lead ministry for ZimAid, as well as the ZimAid Committee for swiftly mobilising stakeholders.
He further warned that climate-induced disasters are becoming more frequent and require enhanced regional preparedness.
“These floods are not an isolated occurrence. They are part of a broader pattern of extreme weather events driven by climate change phenomena that are increasingly beyond human control,” he said.
“In Southern Africa, we continue to face cyclones, floods, droughts, and heatwaves that undermine food security, infrastructure, and human development. This reality calls for strengthened preparedness, resilience, and above all, collective action,” Acting President Mohadi said.
Mozambique’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Carvalho Mauria, expressed gratitude for Zimbabwe’s swift intervention, describing it as a reflection of deep-rooted historical ties.
“The prompt response by the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe to Mozambique’s humanitarian appeal is a testament to our historic cooperation, characterised by unbreakable bonds of brotherhood and solidarity,” Ambassador Mauria said.
He confirmed that Zimbabwe has already deployed two helicopters and their respective crews to Mozambique to support ongoing search and rescue operations.
“To that end, on behalf of H. E. President Daniel Francisco Chapo, the Government and People of the Republic of Mozambique, I relay to the Government and People of the Republic of Zimbabwe our profound gratitude for the provided humanitarian assistance,” he said.
Zimbabwe has also extended similar assistance to Malawi following floods that affected the country in December.
Meanwhile, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has deployed assessment teams to Mozambique and South Africa to evaluate the scale of damage and immediate humanitarian needs.
According to the World Health Organisation, more than 1.3 million people across Southern Africa have been affected by flooding, including communities in Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
