Emergency response to flooding in southern Mozambique
General objective
To reduce food insecurity and protect the livelihoods and well-being of households affected by flooding, whilst preventing vulnerable children from dropping out of school in Maputo Province.
Specific objective
To meet the immediate food needs of the most vulnerable households affected by the floods, support the resumption of agricultural activities through the provision of seeds and inputs adapted to seasonal timelines, and ensure safe, inclusive and accountable assistance, in line with standards for protection against sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).
Expected results
1. The immediate food needs of vulnerable households are met.
2. Affected households resume agricultural production through the distribution of seeds and inputs.
3. Assistance is provided in a safe, transparent and accountable manner, in accordance with humanitarian principles.
About the project
Since mid-December 2025, southern and central Mozambique have been affected by heavy and continuous rainfall, causing widespread flooding in several river basins, notably those of the Maputo, Incomáti and Limpopo.
As of 21 January 2026, national authorities estimated that more than 700,000 people had already been affected in the provinces of Maputo, Gaza, Inhambane, Sofala and Zambézia. This figure is expected to rise as the rains continue and floodwaters stagnate.
Vulnerable groups – female-headed households, child-headed households, families with disabled members and households hosting displaced persons – are disproportionately affected. At the same time, dwindling resources are increasing the risk of children dropping out of school, as families struggle to meet their basic needs. Immediate food assistance is required, alongside early recovery support to restore agricultural production and sustain school feeding programmes, which are essential for safeguarding nutrition and access to education during the recovery phase.
Helpcode has been working in Maputo Province for many years, with an established operational presence and strong relationships with district authorities, schools, community structures and local partners in Magude, Manhiça and Marracuene. This long-standing commitment enables a rapid, coordinated and accountable emergency response.
The project is implementing a range of complementary activities to address the food emergency whilst supporting the early recovery of households affected by the floods:
- Emergency food assistance (distribution of food rations, establishment of accountability mechanisms, etc.)
- Agricultural recovery and livelihoods (distribution of seeds and agricultural inputs, basic technical support, etc.)
- Protection, inclusion and accountability (systematic integration of humanitarian principles and PSEA standards at all stages of the project, coordination with local authorities and sectoral mechanisms, establishment of feedback channels to strengthen the participation of affected communities)
Beneficiaries
The total number of beneficiaries is 3,500 people (700 households). Half of these households will benefit from food distribution, whilst the other 350 will benefit from the revival of agricultural activities.
Children in school: Helpcode is also raising funds to support school meal programmes and thereby prevent school dropouts.
SDG’s that the project contributes to achieving
Funder(s)
- Canton of Bern
Paolo Gomiero
Country representative – Mozambique