Staff Writer
SADC has deployed its Emergency Response Team to support the governments of Mozambique and South Africa, following recent floods and extreme weather conditions that have resulted in loss of lives, destruction of infrastructure and disruptions of essential services.
The deployment of the SADC Emergency Response Team (ERT), as part of the SADC’s regional disaster response mechanisms, is aimed at supporting government-led efforts in Member States that have been severely affected by disasters.
“The SADC ERT is providing support to national authorities in emergency response, early recovery operations, continuous monitoring of the situation and consolidation of a regional humanitarian appeal, based on the evolving impact assessments,” SADC said in a statement.
Prolonged rainfall has resulted in river overflows, dam spillages, flash floods, and flooding of low-lying areas across several Member States, including Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Mozambique and South Africa are experiencing the most severe impacts and require humanitarian assistance.
As of October 2025, SADC said over one million people have been affected by the floods across several Member States, with some communities displaced and some people losing their lives, underscoring the urgent need for a coordinated regional response to support affected communities.
In Mozambique, flooding has impacted central and southern regions, notably Gaza, Maputo, Sofala, Inhambane, and Manica provinces, prompting the government of Mozambique to declare a Red Alert on 16 January 2026 and to appeal for humanitarian assistance.
Several areas in Gaza Province remain submerged and inaccessible, with extensive damage to roads, public facilities and other critical infrastructure.
In South Africa, the government declared a State of National Disaster on 18 January 2026 following severe flooding in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces.
The SADC ERT is supporting the governments of Mozambique and South Africa by establishing a clear and comprehensive understanding of the humanitarian situation, response capacities, and priority needs, and advising on how SADC can best provide a targeted regional response.
The efforts aim to ensure an effective, coordinated and timely humanitarian response to the flood impacts affecting the country.
Heavy rains and flash floods have affected more than 655,000 people and claimed at least 159 lives across Southern Africa, with Mozambique the worst affected.
The flooding is linked to a slow-moving low-pressure system and saturated catchments across the region.
With rainfall continuing and river basins already saturated, flood risks remain high across the Southern Africa region, and further impacts are likely in the coming weeks.
Humanitarian partners are supporting governments’ responses, including search and rescue operations, mobilising vital aid, and coordinating efforts.
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