In Mozambique, a humanitarian crisis is unfolding as catastrophic floods have left over 150,000 homes submerged and claimed at least 22 lives. Aid organisations are facing an uphill battle in securing financial support amidst dwindling donor budgets, raising urgent concerns about the country’s ability to respond effectively to this disaster.
Escalating Crisis in Mozambique
The recent flooding in Mozambique has overwhelmed communities, with emergency services struggling to reach those in need. According to Gaspar Sitefane, the country director for WaterAid Mozambique, the situation is dire. “In the past, accessing donor support was much more straightforward. Now, many donor nations are prioritising other issues, leaving us with insufficient resources,” he stated. The floodwaters, exacerbated by previous climate-related disasters, have created a scenario where immediate assistance is critically required.
The scale of the disaster is staggering. With 430,000 livestock lost and vast tracts of farmland—440,000 hectares—underwater, the long-term impacts on food security and livelihoods could be catastrophic. Furthermore, essential services such as health centres and schools are also affected, with 229 health facilities and 355 schools forced to close.
The Financial Shortfall
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that Mozambique requires around $187 million (£136 million) for its humanitarian response. Unfortunately, the response from international donors has been lacklustre, with pledges totalling just $1 million from the United States, $2 million from Norway, and a humanitarian shipment from the European Union worth $552,000 aimed at aiding approximately 50,000 people. “Additional funding is urgently needed to sustain and scale up the humanitarian response,” OCHA warned in its latest update.
Mr Sitefane expressed concern that many vulnerable individuals have yet to receive any assistance and highlighted the logistical challenges faced by aid groups. Many camps housing displaced residents can only be accessed by helicopter, further complicating the relief efforts.
Climate Change: A Driving Force Behind the Disaster
The current flooding crisis is not merely a result of natural weather patterns; climate change is significantly increasing the severity and frequency of such disasters. A recent analysis from World Weather Attribution indicates that the extreme rainfall experienced in Mozambique and neighbouring countries has become 40% more severe since pre-industrial times. Izidine Pinto from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute noted, “Our research demonstrates that human-induced climate change is intensifying rainfall events, leading to devastating impacts for vulnerable communities.”
This ongoing crisis is emblematic of climate injustice, as countries like Mozambique—who have contributed the least to global warming—bear the brunt of its consequences. Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at Imperial College London, emphasised that those affected are not the ones profiting from fossil fuel consumption and should not suffer the repercussions.
The Path Ahead: A Call for Sustainable Support
To effectively tackle the challenges posed by climate change, Mozambique requires substantial investment in resilience and adaptation. However, Mr Sitefane pointed out that accessing climate adaptation funds has become increasingly difficult, with many organisations and even the government facing hurdles in their applications.
Former UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband echoed the need for enhanced support, stating that rich nations must provide more grant-based aid, not only for immediate relief but also for long-term climate resilience. “Investing in protections for communities is a vital and worthwhile endeavour,” he argued.
Why it Matters
The unfolding situation in Mozambique serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for a re-evaluation of global aid priorities, especially in the context of climate change. As extreme weather events become more frequent, the international community must step up its commitment to support vulnerable regions. Without immediate and sustained aid, the humanitarian crises in places like Mozambique will only worsen, leading to irreversible damage to lives, livelihoods, and the very fabric of these communities.
