Lift up cyclone-devastated families in Mozambique

Widespread Flooding Across Mozambique 

People in Mozambique have been grappling with severe flooding triggered by heavy rains that have persisted since December last year. Although the country is accustomed to facing cyclones and flood-related disasters almost every year, the unusually prolonged rainfall this season has caused extensive damage, reaching even communities that are rarely affected by flooding.

Providing Essential Hygiene Supplies in Sofala Province 

By late January this year, the floods had affected approximately 590,000 people nationwide, with around 68,000 forced to leave their homes. In response, Peace Winds conducted an assessment of the situation in Sofala Province.

Traveling through muddy roads and occasionally getting vehicles stuck along the way, the team visited evacuation sites where food assistance had arrived but remained insufficient. Many displaced families were surviving on just one meal a day. There were not enough tents to accommodate everyone, forcing many men to sleep outdoors.

Water shortages were also severe, as large numbers of displaced people had gathered in areas where wells had been damaged by the floods. The lack of adequate sanitation facilities raised concerns about deteriorating hygiene conditions, while shortages of mosquito nets increased the risk of malaria.

To address these urgent needs, Peace Winds distributed water purification tablets, buckets for safe water storage, mosquito nets, and soap to 160 households at evacuation sites where hygiene supplies were in short supply.

Recipients expressed their gratitude, saying, “We didn’t have any containers to store drinking water, so the buckets are a great help,” and “We were worried about malaria, so receiving mosquito nets gives us peace of mind.”

Delivering Food Assistance and Hope in Gaza Province 

It was while we were conducting assessments in Gaza Province — where nearly 90 percent of the population was affected by the floods — that we received generous donations from volunteer groups and elementary schools in Ehime Prefecture, as well as organizations in Shiga Prefecture in Japan, through a Japanese NGO, the Shikoku Global Network.

With this support, Peace Winds provided food assistance at four temporary evacuation sites. Food distributions from UN agencies and local authorities were limited, and many displaced people were showing signs of nutritional imbalance as well as physical and emotional exhaustion.

To help address these needs, we distributed chicken, canned fish, and vegetables to supplement deficiencies in protein and vitamins, along with seasonings so that families could prepare meals with familiar flavors. The food was stored in freezers at nearby homes and facilities and was then served to displaced families over several days.

One mother of four shared her appreciation:

“Since arriving at the evacuation site, we had been eating mostly rice and beans. Being able to eat meat and fish again for the first time in a long while means so much to us.”

Standing With Communities on the Road to Recovery

At the same time, the woman shared another concern:

“Our home was severely damaged by the floods, and we have no idea how we will rebuild it. I don’t know what the future holds for us, and that uncertainty is frightening.”

Our assessment revealed that the floods had destroyed not only homes, wells, and latrines, but also crops, livestock, and stored food supplies, including rice reserves that families depended on for the months ahead. In some areas, roads had been washed away, leaving communities accessible only by boat.

For many families, the disaster has not only disrupted their daily lives but has also jeopardized their ability to secure food throughout the coming year.

At a time like this, what Mozambique needs most is not only material assistance, but also a clear message: “You are not forgotten. We stand with you.” Continuing to deliver that message through sustained support is what is needed now more than ever.

*This emergency response was made possible through grants from the Japan Platform , the Shikoku Global Network, and other Japanese partners — and through your generous support.