Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe on Wednesday handed over emergency assistance to flood-ravaged Mozambique, with Acting President Kembo Mohadi declaring that the suffering of one Southern African nation is a shared burden for the entire region.
Speaking at the ZimAid Resource Mobilization and Handover Ceremony in Harare, Acting President Mohadi said Zimbabwe’s response to the devastating floods that struck Mozambique’s provinces of Gaza, Maputo, Maputo Metropolitan and Nampula was driven by the enduring values of Ubuntu, African unity and good neighbourliness, as well as the shared history binding the two countries.
“The loss of lives, the destruction of homes, crops and livelihoods, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of families is a painful reminder of the growing vulnerability of our region to climate-induced disasters,” he said, extending Zimbabwe’s “heartfelt sympathy and deep solidarity” to the government and people of Mozambique.
Acting President Mohadi noted that the floods were not an isolated tragedy, but part of a disturbing pattern of extreme weather events increasingly affecting Southern Africa, including cyclones, droughts and heatwaves.
These climate-related shocks, he said, continue to undermine food security, infrastructure development and human progress, particularly in developing countries.
Against this backdrop, Acting President Mohadi said Zimbabwe had acted swiftly after Mozambique requested assistance, with President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa authorizing the deployment of air rescue helicopters to support search and rescue operations in affected areas.
“This tangible support underscores Zimbabwe’s unwavering commitment to regional cooperation and humanitarian assistance,” he said, while commending the Mozambican government for its close coordination, which he described as a reflection of the strong bonds between the two sister republics.
Acting President Mohadi emphasized that Zimbabwe and Mozambique share more than a border, describing the two nations as one people bound by intertwined cultures, shared rivers and ecosystems, and a common liberation history forged through collective sacrifice.
“This is the essence of Ubuntu – I am because we are. When Mozambique hurts, Zimbabwe feels the pain. When Mozambique calls, Zimbabwe responds,” he said.
He added that Mozambique has consistently stood with Zimbabwe in times of need, making the current intervention both a moral duty and an expression of gratitude.
Acting President Mohadi said the mobilization under the ZimAid framework was a practical demonstration of this solidarity, applauding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade for leading coordination efforts, alongside the ZimAid Committee, which rapidly brought together stakeholders to craft a unified response.
He also commended the Civil Protection Unit for its leadership in disaster response, and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development for facilitating the release of emergency grain through the Grain Marketing Board, noting that food assistance was critical for families whose crops and livelihoods had been destroyed.
Acting President Mohadi expressed appreciation to Zimbabwean stakeholders – including Government institutions, the private sector, civil society and development partners – for contributing resources, expertise and logistical support.
“Only a week ago, we were gathered here to mobilize assistance for Malawi, and you are here again today to share food and non-food items with Mozambique,” he said. “This spirit of giving reflects our national character.”
He said the intervention was in line with the principles of the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), stressing that regional integration must go beyond trade and infrastructure to include mutual support during crises.
“Disasters do not respect borders, and neither should our compassion or response,” he said.
New Ziana
