“United until the end”

Summary

The recent floods in the region have left communities vulnerable and displaced thousands as well as causing severe damage to critical infrastructure.

Mozambique remains on high alert to the widespread floods that have affected the country in recent months.

Public Works, Housing and Water Resources Minister, Fernando Rafael said this on 9 February 2026 during a visit to the National Director of Water Resources Management (DNGRH) in Maputo.

“I am here…to find out directly about the installation and operational readiness of the new Monitoring Room and the reinforcement of the National System for Early Warning of Floods and Droughts,” Minister Rafael said.

He stressed that timely access to information is essential, as hydrological forecasts typically operate within short lead times.

In this regard, it was important for the country to remain on alert throughout the rainy season and not demobilize any response and emergence efforts to ensure consolidated data and reduce the impact of floods as the country also approaches the month of March, a period usually associated with seasonal risks.

The recent floods have left communities vulnerable and displaced thousands as well as causing severe damage to critical infrastructure.

Minister Rafael indicated that preliminary estimates place the cost of replacing and reconstructing damaged infrastructure at over US$600 million, with figures to be revised following a comprehensive assessment

Agostinho Vilanculos, National Director of DNGRH, echoed the call for collective action, emphasizing that all stakeholders must join forces during this crucial period, while assuring that the DNGRH will continue to play its role in enabling sound decisions.

The DNGRH is the body of the Ministry of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources responsible for the Management of River Basins, Hydraulic Works and International Water Resources.

Minister Rafael’s visit to the DNGRH was intended to assess the operational readiness of the country’s monitoring, forecasting, and early warning systems for floods and droughts.