Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe on Friday sent humanitarian assistance to Malawi and Mozambique to aid emergency operations after devastating floods struck the two neighbouring nations.
The floods have claimed more than 100 lives and left thousands injured or displaced.
In response to the disaster, President Emmerson Mnangagwa suspended his annual leave to personally oversee the relief efforts, both at home and in the region. He authorized the deployment of rescue teams and Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) helicopters to support evacuation missions in the affected areas.
The Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri presided over the send-off ceremony of the relief consignments that include tents, blankets, and 1 300 tonnes of maize, among others.
Of the 1 300 tonnes of maize, Malawi will receive 1 000 while the remainder will be handed over to Mozambique.
“This is a very sad moment, and our neighbouring countries are feeling the impact of climate change. We stand in solidarity with them,” Muchinguri-Kashiri said.
In Malawi, heavy rainfall has triggered widespread flooding across the Southern and Central regions. Low-lying districts such as Chikwawa, Nsanje, Phalombe, Mangochi, and Blantyre Rural have been particularly hit hard.
In Mozambique, the flooding has severely impacted the central and northern provinces, including Zambezia, Sofala, Tete, and Nampula. Rivers have overflowed, inundating villages, farmland, and transport routes.
Major waterways such as the Zambezi, Licungo, Pungwe, and Buzi have risen to dangerous levels, isolating communities and damaging roads, bridges, and power networks.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe remains vigilant against potential flooding within its own borders. The Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has been instructed to activate all emergency systems and distribute 50 tonnes of grain to each province as part of a national contingency plan.
New Ziana
